Authorities warn of “jellygedden” as thousands of jellyfish wash ashore

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Melbourne officials are advising people to avoid swimming in Port Phillip Bay after a large number of lion’s mane jellyfish appeared along the shoreline.

Large numbers of jellyfish have been spotted along the coast, leading local authorities and lifeguards to issue warnings. The creatures are gathering in shallow water and washing up on beaches.

According to a January 27th article in The Guardian, there’s been a significant increase in jellyfish sightings along the Mornington Peninsula, from Altona to Blairgowrie. Some residents have even nicknamed the event “jellygeddon.”

Neil Blake, who cares for the bay, said this event was larger than most, explaining that a similar bloom hadn’t been seen for around four years.

Authorities warn swimmers to avoid the water

Blake explained that the recent increase in jellyfish follows a large bloom of bluebottles that appeared on Victorian beaches in December. He noted that the number of jellyfish has varied depending on the weather.

He explained that the number of jellyfish went up and down with the tides and wind, and had actually decreased over the last week. He also mentioned that one Melbourne beach had to be closed briefly because a large group of jellyfish – which he called a ‘smack’ – washed ashore.

Blake said the jellyfish found on the beach were generally about the size of a peach, but they had long tentacles that could sting and extend over a meter in length.

The Bayside City Council, responsible for the beaches between Brighton and Beaumaris, acknowledged recent jellyfish sightings on social media, playfully calling it “part of an Australian summer.” In a Facebook post on January 19th, the council explained that these sightings happen regularly at this time of year and advised beachgoers to be cautious while swimming, walking without shoes, or bringing their dogs.

Life Saving Victoria advised people not to swim if they see jellyfish in the water.

Swimmers are warned not to enter the water if jellyfish are visible near the shore. It’s best to stick to beaches with lifeguards and stay within the designated swimming area marked by the red and yellow flags. Even jellyfish found on the sand can still sting, so avoid touching them.

If you get stung by something in the water, immediately swim to shore and find a lifeguard or lifesaver if one is available. Rinse the affected area with seawater, gently remove any remaining tentacles, and then soak it in hot water to help with the pain.

Okay, so I was reading up on lion’s mane jellyfish, and apparently they’re not exactly speed demons in the water. This marine expert, Jonathan Lawley, said they mostly just float around and let the wind and currents take them where they need to go. They’re not strong swimmers at all, which is kinda interesting!

We usually only notice them when the ocean washes them up onto the beach – that’s when their large populations become visible, he explained.

This isn’t the first time a large group of jellyfish has caused problems. In August 2025, a swarm blocked the cooling systems of four nuclear power plants in France, forcing them to shut down.

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2026-02-02 19:49