Rare Box Jellyfish Spotted in Eilat Bay, Israel's Nature Authority Advises Caution

A rare box jellyfish species, Alatina grandis, has been documented in the waters of Eilat Bay in the Red Sea, according to Israel's Nature and Parks Authority. This species is uncommon in the region and typically appears only occasionally due to changes in currents and wind patterns. Identification was confirmed by Dr. Tzafrir Koplik and Prof. Tamar Gi-A-Chaim through DNA analysis and morphological features, including the jellyfish's distinctive square bell and tentacles.

Dr. Asaf Zabuloni, an ecologist with the Nature and Parks Authority, emphasized that only a few individual jellyfish have been spotted, not a swarm, and the likelihood of encountering one while swimming is very low. He reassured the public that there is no reason to avoid swimming but recommended avoiding direct contact and remaining vigilant. While the sting of this jellyfish can be painful and potentially dangerous, it is not the Australian sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri), known as one of the deadliest jellyfish species worldwide.

The appearance of this jellyfish aligns with broader shifts in marine animal distributions linked to climate change and alterations in currents and wind regimes. One specimen was collected and sent to a research laboratory for further scientific study and precise classification. The Nature and Parks Authority advises that in any encounter with jellyfish or potentially dangerous marine creatures, people should avoid contact, keep a safe distance, clear the area of other swimmers, and report sightings to the authority's hotline.