Giant jellyfish sinks 10-ton Japanese ship
Centuries ago, sailors feared the Kraken
– legendary sea monsters so large, they were capable of bringing down
ships. Now, modern Japanese fishermen have a new tale to tell of such
gargantuan sea creatures – even if it wasn’t powerful tentacles that caused their ship to capsize.
The 10-ton Diasan Shinsho-maru went down in the waters off Japan
while trying to haul a net containing dozens of gigantic gelatinous Nomura’s jellyfish, which can reach up to 6 feet 7 inches in diameter and weigh up to 440 pounds.
The load of jellyfish was so heavy, it caused the fishing trawler
to sink, throwing the three-man crew into the sea despite clear skies
and calm waters. Another trawler rescued the flailing crew.
The Sea of Japan is packed with these oversized creatures, which
clog up and damage fishermen’s nets, rendering the fish caught
alongside them inedible with their toxic stings. They even get sucked
into pumps at nuclear power plants along the shore along with sea water
used to cool the reactors.
Scientists believe that some of the factors contributing to the
ballooning Nomura’s jellyfish population may include warming sea waters
and overfishing of other species.
Stephanie Rogers is a regular contributor to Mother Nature Network, where this post originally appeared.
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