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First record of a cannonball jellyfish bloom (Stomolophus sp.) in Venezuelan waters

Published Article

Caribbean

Publication date: March 28, 2025

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Jellyfish blooms arise from complex environmental and human‑driven factors, and in 2024 Venezuela documented its first cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus sp.) bloom along 120 km of coastline. Reports from anglers and divers confirmed high densities (~3 ind. m⁻³) across multiple sites. Analyses suggest that recent fluctuations in sea surface temperature, elevated chlorophyll‑a and high rainfall may have triggered strobilation and bloom formation, though advection from other regions remains possible. Given the commercial importance of Stomolophus spp. in nearby countries, this event underscores the need for sustained monitoring to evaluate potential range expansion, ecological effects and socio‑economic implications for fisheries. The bloom also provides baseline insight into gelatinous zooplankton dynamics in the Caribbean and highlights the importance of future genetic and ecological studies.

Subject Tags

  • Coastal
  • Fisheries
  • Wildlife

Abstract

Jellyfish blooms are dynamic events driven by environmental and anthropogenic factors. This study reports the first documented bloom of the cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus sp.) in Venezuelan waters, observed between March and April 2024 along approximately 120 km of coastline. Reports from anglers and divers confirmed high jellyfish abundances (~3 ind. m−3) across multiple sites. Environmental analyses suggest that fluctuations in sea surface temperature, increased chlorophyll a concentrations, and high precipitation in the preceding months may have triggered strobilation and subsequent bloom formation. However, the polyps have not yet been observed in the field, and advective movement from other locations cannot be ruled out. Given the commercial importance of Stomolophus spp. in neighboring regions, this record underscores the need for continued monitoring to assess potential range expansions and their ecological and socio-economic impacts. Additionally, the emergence of this bloom raises questions about the species’ distribution patterns, potential establishment in Venezuelan waters, and possible implications for local fisheries. Our findings contribute to the broader understanding of gelatinous zooplankton dynamics in the Caribbean Sea and provide baseline information for future ecological assessments and fisheries management strategies. Further studies, including genetic analyses, are needed to confirm species identity and investigate the drivers behind this unprecedented bloom.

Citation

Morejón-Arrojo, R. D., Lüskow, F., Fernández-Alías, A., Ramírez, H., & Cróquer, A. (2025). First record of a cannonball jellyfish bloom (Stomolophus sp.) in Venezuelan Waters. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(4), 689. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13040689

TNC Authors

  • Aldo Cróquer
    Marine Program Manager, Caribbean
    The Nature Conservancy
    Email: aldo.croquer@tnc.org