AN ‘invasion’ of jellyfish has been spotted on Ayr beach, stretching right along the coastline.

Believed to be barrel jellyfish, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) have received a large number of phone calls from the public, reporting the aquatic animals up and down the west coast of the UK.

According to Buglife, this type of jelly swarms in the warmer summer months when there are large plankton groups offering them plenty of food supply and shallow water brings the jellyfish towards the coast, which is why many locals and holiday-goers are noticing these slimy visitors.

A spokesman for the Marine Conservation Society, said: “The Barrel jellyfish [also known as Rhizostoma Octopus] is up to 1m in diameter.

“They are robust with a spherical, solid rubbery bell, which can be white or pale pink, blue or yellow and fringed with purple markings.

“The bell lacks tentacles but eight thick, frilled arms hang from the manubrium and while some jelly¬ fish are harmless or have a very mild sting, others have a painful and even dangerous sting and MCS would therefore recommend that, for your own safety, you do not touch jellyfish.”

Barrels are known to be the main meal for leatherback turtles, which often visits the UK seas in the summer in search of the free-swimming creatures.

The spokesman added: “Little is known about jellyfish in UK waters.
“The leatherback turtles are seasonal visitors to UK seas, migrating from their tropical nesting beaches, and analyses of stomach contents of dead leatherbacks stranded on UK shores have revealed that they feed on several species of British jellyfish.

“By comparing the distribution of jellyfish with environmental factors such as sea temperature, plankton production and current flow, we hope to understand what influences the seasonal distribution of jellyfish in UK waters.”

You can help the MCS by reporting the jellyfish that you see on local beaches so they know where they are spotted and how many they are as to them, it is interesting to research their migration patterns.

Health and Safety when coming across a jellyfish:
•    Never touch jellyfish with bare hands
•    Always use a stick or wear arm length rubber gloves if you need to turn them over for identification
•    Beware of the stinging tentacles and keep your face and any exposed skin well clear
•    Seek medical attention in the case of a severe sting

Mike Newall, South Ayrshire Council’s Head of Neighbourhood Services, said: “Sightings of jellyfish washed up on the shores are more common in spring and summer, when warmer waters provide the ideal conditions for them to thrive.

“Whether dead or alive it is possible to be stung if you come into contact with a jellyfish that’s still wet, and we’d advise people not to touch any they may find, just to be on the safe side.

“We’ve only received a few reports of these aquatic animals being found on our beaches this year, but the creatures will be removed during routine beach maintenance.”