A family was amazed when they encountered a vast “sea of jellyfish” while out on a fishing trip. Daniel Macleod, 37, took his twin boys on their small boat off the coast of Dunbeath, Scotland, where they unexpectedly found themselves surrounded by a dense cluster of jellyfish. Daniel captured the mesmerizing moment as thousands of moon jellyfish swarmed around Dunbeath Bay in Caithness.
Describing the experience, Daniel shared, “My twin boys Max and Jake and I were heading out for some handline fishing for mackerel. We noticed an unusually high number of jellyfish right after leaving the harbor.” Upon entering Dunbeath Bay, they were greeted by a carpet of moon jellyfish. Despite aiming to start fishing, they encountered a thick mass of jellyfish at their usual spot.
“My sons were thrilled – they had seen jellyfish before, but never in such large numbers. They were amazed by the sheer quantity of jellyfish – they referred to it as a sea of jellyfish,” Daniel mentioned. Concerned about the boat’s well-being amidst the jellyfish swarm, they managed to pass through without any issues.
However, the fishing trip was affected as they couldn’t catch as many fish as usual. Daniel explained, “While the boat was fine, there was a worry because the engine needs seawater for cooling, and a blockage from the jellyfish could have been problematic.” Despite the challenges, Daniel shared the footage on social media, receiving surprised reactions from friends and family.
Reflecting on the rarity of the event, Daniel said, “People were shocked and amazed by what we experienced right in our backyard. We’ve had a few unique sightings in Dunbeath Bay before, like a fin whale and a beagle shark last year. Our waters here seem to be quite different.”
Scotland’s coastal waters are home to various jellyfish species, with peak blooms occurring in summer. While most stings are mild, species such as Lion’s Mane and Compass jellyfish can deliver severe, painful stings. The Marine Conservation Society monitors UK jellyfish sightings and encourages the public to report any encounters.
The moon jellyfish is a common sight in UK seas, often washing up on beaches. According to The Wildlife Trusts, this jellyfish species, which is non-stinging, can be identified by its round, translucent body with four purple circular markings around the center.