Millions of jellyfish were seen today along the entire east coast of Malta, in what marine biologist Alan Deidun yesterday described as “purple carpets of mauve stingers (Pelagia noctiluca) in Birzebbuga, St Thomas Bay, Xghajra, Msida and Bahar ic-Caghaq.

Alan Deidun, who coordinates the Spot the Jellyfish citizen science campaign, said the bloom consisted of just the one species which normally bloom in Maltese waters in late May and early June.

Deidun said this year's bloom had been anticipated by a few weeks, possibly due to the onset of an anomalously dry and warm January, known to trigger the annual spawning/reproduction of the species, which normally happens in late winter.

The bloom, reported as part of the Spot the Jellyfish campaign, is expected to last no more than a few weeks.  The campaign is run by the International Ocean Institute and supported by the Malta Tourism Authority.

The public is encouraged to keep supporting the campaign through the jellyfish sighting reports, which can be submitted on the campaign website, Facebook page and also via email - [email protected].