The week in jellyfish: six-foot siphonophores and the sweet smell of the sea

An athlete's attempt to complete a 25-mile swim across Monterey Bay, California, was scuppered by painful jellyfish stings. Bruckner Chase had been told that jellyfish numbers were down when he undertook the challenge, only to find that "it was like scene from 'Finding Nemo' when they're swimming though jellies". [Chase's bay-crossing big stymied by jellyfish, The Mercury News]

Chinese immigrants in Italy are scooping up stranded jellyfish for a quick deep-fried snack. Locals aren't sure whether to be squeamish about this unfamiliar foodstuff, or grateful for the beach clean-up. [Italians balk at Chinese habit of deep-frying jellyfish, The Guardian]

Next time you're gingerly stepping around sea nettle jellies (see picture) washed up on the shore, remember that without them you might not be able to tuck in to oysters on the half-shell. An interview with a jellyfish scientist reveals the role of sea nettles in the marine ecosystem. [Stings or seafood? The dilemma of the sea nettle, Southern Maryland Newspapers Online]

Hawaii's beaches have been on red alert after amore than 2,000 Portuguese Man O'War, jellyfish-like creatures known as siphonophores, washed up on Hanauma beach. [Man-O-War invasion forces Hanauma Bay closure, Honolulu Advertiser]

The invasion continues as far afield as Dorset, UK, where beach-goers have been told not to panic at news that six-foot long Portuguese Man O'War have been spotted on the coast off Weymouth. (What a pity no one interviewed for the article pointed out that they aren't actually jellyfish.) ["Don't panic" advice after jellyfish seen off Weymouth, Dorset Echo]

And finally, the delicate tang of an ocean breeze has been explained as a bacterial belch. An East Anglian scientist has cracked the biochemical pathway that produces dimethyl sulfide, the chemical responsible for the smell of the sea. [The science behind that fresh seaside smell, The Daily Telegraph]