A municipality in Greece has launched a new measure to help protect swimmers from jellyfish, becoming the first local authority in the country to install special protective nets at its beaches.
The Municipality of Dirfies Messapia, located in the wider Evia region, has signed a contract for the supply, installation and operation of the nets, which are designed to prevent jellyfish from entering designated swimming areas.
The work is expected to begin soon, ahead of the summer season, with the goal of improving safety at the coastline and enhancing the experience for both residents and visitors.
According to the municipal authorities, the project is part of a broader plan to strengthen tourism development and upgrade local infrastructure. The initiative is also intended to make the area’s beaches more attractive while supporting sustainable tourism.
Scientists identify causes behind jellyfish increase
The decision comes as jellyfish sightings have increased in the region, with researchers from the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR) examining the factors behind the phenomenon.
A research team led by Vasilios Kapsimalis, Director of the Institute of Oceanography, and researcher Sultana Zervoudaki, identified three main factors contributing to the rise in jellyfish populations.
The first is climate change, as rising sea temperatures create more favorable conditions for jellyfish reproduction and expansion.
The second factor is marine currents, with the characteristics of currents in the Evoikos Gulf contributing to the concentration of jellyfish populations in coastal areas.
The third factor is overfishing, which has reduced the number of natural predators of jellyfish, including certain fish species and sea turtles, allowing their populations to grow more easily.
Researchers note that the phenomenon is cyclical, with jellyfish population increases typically lasting between one and three years. Its development in the coming months will depend largely on the climate conditions that prevail
