Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre - Irish Sea Leatherback Turtle and Jellyfish Survey

Moon Jelllyfish...........Barrel Jellyfish

It is a little known fact that leatherback turtles are found in the waters around Wales and Ireland.
Indeed the largest specimen ever recorded washed up in North Wales in 1998 measuring nearly
3 metres (9ft) and weighing 916kg (2016lbs)! Despite this our knowledge of this elusive species
remains limited to anecdotal sightings and stranding events along the coast. Although such data are
invaluable, we are still left with many unanswered questions such as how leatherbacks can live almost
entirely on jellyfish that are composed mainly of water! To address such gaps in our knowledge the
Irish Sea Leatherback Project was established in April 2003 as a joint venture between the
University of Wales Swansea and the University College Cork. Funded by the European Regional
Development Fund’s (ERDF) INTERREG IIIA initiative, key elements of the project include aerial
surveys of the Irish Sea, satellite tracking of the leatherback turtles, shoreline jellyfish surveys, schools
workshops and public seminars. Through collaboration with existing conservation bodies we hope to
tackle the long unanswered question of whether leatherbacks are merely oceanic wanderers that find
themselves in our waters or whether they form an important part or out natural heritage.

Species 1: (Common Jellyfish) 'Umbrella' saucer-shape; up to 25cm bell diameter; frilly mouth arms
longer than the numerous short tentacles; 8 sense organs; 4 conspicuoous purple-violate
reproductive organs which are horseshoe shaped when seen from above. Colour: Transparant;
tinged blue-white.

Species 2: Cyanea Iamarckii: ‘Umbrella’ saucer-shaped; up to 30cm bell diameter drawn
out into 32 lobes at periphery & bearing numerous tentacles arranged in 8 clusters
(see right hand figure). Colour blue-white. NB inflicts serve stings!!!

Species 3: Chrysaora hysoscella (Compass Jellyfish). ‘Umbrella’ saucer-shaped; up to 30cm in
bell diameter & drawn out into 32 lobes at periphery & bearing 24 tentacles alternating with
8 sense organs; 4 mouth arms longer than tentacles. NB inflict server stings!!!

Species 4: Pelagia noctiluca. ‘Umbrella’ mushroom-shaped; up to 10cm in bell diameter; 4 arms
around mouth; 8 slender trailing tentacles around periphery; tentacle longer than mouth arms when
fully extended; 8 small, wart-like sense organs alternate with tentacles. Colour: Transparent,
but tinted yellow-red. NB inflicts severe stings!!!

Can you help? We are looking for conservation bodies or enthusiastic
individuals who would be able to help gather basic information on
jellyfish strandings along our shores. If you, or someone you know,
might be interested please contact either Dr Jonathan Houghton (Wales)
or Tom Doyle (Ireland) for details. Thank you.

Ireland:
Tom Doyle INTERREG IIIA – Irish Sea Leatherback Turtle Project.
School of Biological Sciences.
Dept of Zoology & Plant Science,
University College Cork,
Lee Maltings,
Prospect Row,
Cork, Ireland.
E-mail: tomdoyle@campus.ie

Wales:
Dr Jonathan Houghton INTERREG IIIA Irish Sea Leatherback
Turtle Project.School of Biological Sciences,
University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park,
Swansea Wales. SA2 8PP.
E-mail j.d.r.houghton@swansea.ac.uk

Or you can contact the centre here by . E-mail.
All mail directed to the
Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre New Quay.
Useful Link
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Irish Sea Leatherback