![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/rare-crystal-jellyfish-spotted-off-cornwall-coast/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/131058826_df58bcb9-ac21-4113-a6b3-1b7545c7229d.jpg&description=Image source, Leeane Sullivan/AK Wildlife Cruises Image caption, The aequorea victoria is more commonly referred to as the "crystal jelly" according to A rare type of jellyfish has been spotted off the coast of Cornwall. Experts said there had been a "massive influx" of the aequorea victoria, more commonly referred to as the "crystal jelly". The species, seen at Cadgwith, near the Lizard in west Cornwall, is more commonly found in Mediterranean waters. In August there were also sightings around Alderney and Guernsey and experts said the sightings were an "indicator of warmer seas". Image source, Helen Poulter Image caption, The crystal jellies were spotted in water at Cadgwith Matt Slater, from , said although they had stinging cells the animals were not powerful enough to harm humans. Speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall, Mr Slater said: "For some reason, this year, we've had a massive influx all along the south coast. "I was actually diving last week off the Lizard and there was a huge number of them and they were accumulating in the bays, and forming almost a ceiling above us as we were diving underwater." Mr Slater said it was "boom or bust" with this type of species. He said: "There's either not many, or there's loads. This is because of their life cycle. "They reproduce very rapidly and produce thousands of tiny larvae. In some years all of them will perish but in other years, when the conditions are different, they may all survive. That's why you sometimes get all or nothing." The aequorea victoria are classed as omnivore, and feed on plankton. Follow BBC News South West on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.){kind=link}
A rare type of jellyfish has been spotted off the coast of Cornwall.
Experts said there had been a “massive influx” of the aequorea victoria, more commonly referred to as the “crystal jelly”.
The species, seen at Cadgwith, near the Lizard in west Cornwall, is more commonly found in Mediterranean waters.
In August there were also sightings around Alderney and Guernsey and experts said the sightings were an “indicator of warmer seas”.
Matt Slater, from Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said although they had stinging cells the animals were not powerful enough to harm humans.