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Jellyfish: if you can’t beat them, eat them?
euronews (in English)
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30/07/2024
While jellyfish blooms can be problematic, researchers believe a sustainable use for this gelatinous plankton can be found.
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00:00
Kartemund is a charming harbour town in central Denmark, with a stunning fjord surrounded
00:08
by fields, hills and forests.
00:12
It's a haven for marine wildlife, but this University of Southern Denmark scientists
00:17
are intrigued by one mysterious species, looming just beneath the surface of the water.
00:31
These sea jellies aren't very stingy, but their biomass here is so dense it harms other
00:36
species.
00:37
We're diving to collect samples and observe this massive jellyfish bloom.
00:43
Around the world, jellyfish sting tourists, clog fishing nets and block water pipelines.
00:50
There are even fears they might replace all other sea species.
00:54
But Jamileh Javidpour, who has been studying jellyfish for over 20 years, says we don't
00:59
know enough yet to make such predictions.
01:02
Apocalyptic scenarios of jellyfish bloom are existing and there are partly true stories
01:08
because the presence of jellyfish might affect the entire ecosystem.
01:12
However, changes in the entire population needs a kind of holistic view.
01:18
What is the effect of other populations that are connected to this layer of the food web
01:24
together?
01:25
So we need a kind of adaptive view to jellyfish bloom, which is still not existing.
01:32
Researchers monitor water temperatures, salinity and other factors to better understand the
01:37
causes of jellyfish blooms.
01:40
It appears jellyfish thrive due to overfishing, which removes their predators and competitors,
01:46
and agricultural runoff that depletes oxygen in the water.
01:50
Unlike other species, jellyfish aren't bothered by low oxygen levels.
01:55
While jellyfish blooms can be problematic, researchers believe we can find a sustainable
02:00
use for this gelatinous plankton.
02:03
For instance, jellyfish could provide an alternative source of collagen for cosmetics.
02:08
They are also great at capturing microplastic particles, which can help clean our oceans.
02:14
Jamileh Javidpour coordinated the GoJelly project, funded by the European Union.
02:21
It came up with a method to use jellyfish mucus, either natural or synthetic, to filter
02:26
wastewater before it reaches the ocean.
02:29
They take up particles very actively and capture these particles and pack them in a biological
02:36
mucus filter to get rid of them.
02:40
And then that is a pattern that we can learn from nature to come up with nature solutions.
02:47
Possible uses for the sea jellies are numerous.
02:52
Let's move from Denmark to Italy's southern Apulia region.
02:56
Researchers at the Institute of Sciences of Food Production in Lecce are experimenting
03:01
with turning jellyfish into plant fertilizer.
03:04
They start with frozen sea jellies and use vacuum drying to convert them into white powder.
03:11
Besides salt, this powder contains valuable amino acids, minerals and other nutrients
03:17
present in jellyfish that can be readily absorbed by plants.
03:24
Experiments show that plants grow better on jellyfish nutrients compared to a substrate
03:29
with just salt.
03:47
Jellyfish could even help cure diseases.
03:50
Although still in the very early stages of research, scientists have discovered bioactive
03:56
compounds in jellyfish that can trigger the death of breast cancer cells in experimental conditions.
04:03
And since jellyfish often end up in fishing nets, why not eat them?
04:29
In Asia, this is common practice.
04:31
This restaurant in Lecce is part of a European project exploring jellyfish as food.
04:37
Chef Fabiano Viva believes seafood lovers will enjoy cooked jellyfish with its intense
04:42
marine flavor.
05:01
This recipe features jellyfish in a traditional Mediterranean seafood soup, but chefs see
05:07
many other possible ways to cook jellyfish.
05:29
Researchers led by Antonella Leon have developed a safe method to preserve jellyfish without
05:34
using the aluminum salts that are common in Asia but considered harmful in Europe.
05:41
Instead, they propose using calcium salts, which are safe to eat and preserve the jellyfish's
05:47
texture better.
05:49
The researchers teamed up with chefs to make a cookbook with jellyfish recipes.
05:54
But before jellyfish can be served to the public, they need to be officially approved
05:58
as food.
06:22
Sustainability is key.
06:24
While jellyfish blooms are increasing in seas like the Mediterranean, researchers caution
06:29
against large-scale fishing of this diverse species.
06:33
We joined Dr. Leon on a sampling trip in the Gulf of Toronto, home to a beautiful barrow
06:39
jellyfish population.
06:41
We still lack knowledge about these gelatinous creatures and their unique life cycles.
06:46
Surveys and samplings are, however, ongoing in seas around the planet.
06:52
In the meantime, any jellyfish-derived compounds used by the industry could be synthesized
06:58
or based on sustainable production methods, such as jellyfish aquaculture.
07:05
Removing too many jellyfish from our oceans before we fully understand them could put
07:10
us on a slippery slope.
07:22
The best way to keep marine life healthy is to address the root causes of their problems,
07:28
such as climate change, pollution and overfishing.
07:34
Jellyfish have been a part of marine ecosystems for the last 500 million years, and with progress
07:40
on this front, they will continue to be.
07:44
Jellyfish have been a part of marine ecosystems for the last 500 million years, and with proper
07:50
balance, they will keep their rightful place in our oceans' natural harmony.
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