Rare Box Jellyfish Spotted in Eilat Bay, Israel

A rare sighting of the box jellyfish species Alatina grandis was recently documented in the waters of Eilat Bay, Israel. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) confirmed that this species is uncommon in the region and typically appears only sporadically, often due to changes in currents and wind patterns. Identification was made by Dr. Tzafrir Koplik and Prof. Tamar Gi-A-Chaim through DNA analysis and distinctive morphological features, including the jellyfish's square bell and tentacles.

Dr. Asaf Zabuloni, an ecologist with INPA, emphasized that only a few individual jellyfish were observed, not a swarm, and reassured the public that the chance of encountering one is very low. He advised no cause for panic or avoidance of swimming, but encouraged awareness and respect for the natural environment. While some box jellyfish species worldwide, such as the Australian sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri), are highly venomous, the Alatina grandis found in Eilat is less dangerous, with stings that can be painful but not comparable to the lethal Australian species.

The appearance of this jellyfish in Eilat is part of a broader phenomenon where marine species shift their distribution due to climate change and alterations in currents and winds. INPA stressed that this is currently an isolated event. One specimen was collected and sent to research laboratories for precise scientific classification, which will enhance understanding of the species' distribution and contribute to knowledge about Eilat's unique marine ecosystem.

Eilat Bay is one of Israel's most ecologically diverse areas, making encounters with marine life common. The Nature and Parks Authority advises maintaining distance from potentially dangerous marine animals, avoiding contact, keeping other swimmers away, and reporting sightings to their hotline at *3639.