Special documentation in the Gulf of Eilat: Individual specimens of the rare box jellyfish Alatina grandis were recently documented in the waters of the Gulf of Eilat. This is a rare species in the area, appearing only infrequently, usually following changes in current and wind regimes.
Identification of the jellyfish was carried out by Dr. Zafrir Kuplik and Prof. Tamar Guy–Haim, based on DNA testing and its unique morphological characteristics, including the square structure of the jellyfish's bell and its tentacles.
"It is important to clarify – This is not a swarm of jellyfish, but only individual specimens," says Dr. Assaf Zvuloni, Gulf of Eilat ecologist at the Nature and Parks Authority. "The chance of encountering such a jellyfish in the sea is very low, and there is no reason for panic or to avoid swimming. Alongside enjoying the sea, it is important simply to be aware and familiar with the natural environment."
Box jellyfish are known worldwide due to certain species that are considered particularly dangerous, including the Australian "sea wasp" (Chironex fleckeri). However, the species documented in Eilat is different. Its sting can be painful and even dangerous, but it does not compare to the venom potency of the deadly species from Australia.
The Nature and Parks Authority explains that marine animals may change their distribution range for various reasons, including climate changes as well as changes in current and wind regimes. The appearance of the jellyfish in the Gulf of Eilat fits into this phenomenon, but at this stage, it is an isolated event only.
The Gulf of Eilat is one of the richest and most ecologically diverse areas in Israel, and therefore encountering marine animals is an integral part of visiting nature. The Nature and Parks Authority reminds that in any encounter with a jellyfish or marine animal that could be dangerous, one must maintain distance, avoid contact, keep other swimmers away from the area, and report to the Nature and Parks Authority hotline at *3639.
One of the found jellyfish specimens was collected and transferred to research laboratories for testing and precise scientific definition. The findings are expected to contribute to understanding the species' distribution and expanding scientific knowledge about the unique natural world of the Gulf of Eilat.