OCEAN scientists are investigating an Irish Sea invasion by thousands of jellyfish found washed up on Welsh beaches.
Earlier this month a large number of moon jellyfish, usually found in the warmer waters of the tropics, were discovered at Trearddur Bay, in Anglesey, while thousands of barrel jellyfish were reportedly spotted in Carmarthen Bay.
Meanwhile experts at University of Wales, Bangor's school of ocean sciences have been put on alert by colleagues at Cork University, in Ireland.
Working alongside colleagues from Swansea University, they are carrying out a survey, backed by European cash, of giant rare leatherback turtles which feed on jellyfish. Last month scientists at Aberystwyth university were left scratching their heads in bewilderment after mid Wales beaches were covered by armies of spider crabs usually found further south.
Bangor's Dr Ian Lucas said: "We do get this type of thing happening from time to time with the jellyfish being swept by the Gulf Stream into the Irish Sea. They do like a warmer conditions though."
Dr John Houghton, a researcher at the University of Wales, in Swansea, is studying the current phenomenon.
"What we are trying to do at the moment is work out why these creatures are appearing in the Irish Sea in such large numbers," he said.
"It is apparent they have been turning up for quite a long time, although we used to think of them as occasional visitors to these kinds of waters.
"But the numbers we are talking about suggest they have a much closer association."
Dr Houghton said leatherback turtles had a history of visiting the Irish Sea.
"They are fantastic animals and Wales has got quite a close association with them.
"In 1998-9, the largest one ever seen in the world washed up in Harlech - it was just under 10ft long and about 916 kilos," he said.
* The Marine Conservation Society is on the look out for volunteers to join in a major UK jellyfish survey.
"We want to hear about reports of any jellyfish and will send out an identification card to anyone prepared to help," said spokeswoman Sue Ranger.
She can be contacted by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.org.