That's it, add Japan to the list of places we are never going swimming -- Australia (crocodiles and sharks) and Loch Ness (Nessie -- can't be too sure) if you must know.Not only do you have to keep an eye out for sumo wrestlers in speedos, but also swarms of sumo wrestler-sized jellyfish which are currently invading their waters.
The monsters, which can grow to 2.2m in diameter and weigh over 300kg, are said to be appearing in plague-like proportions off Japan's Pacific coast, where they are threatening to ruin the local fishing industry.
Because of their mass, the giant Echizen jellyfish are wrecking fishermen's nets and crushing catches. And that's on a good day, the monsters recently capsized a fishing boat after getting caught in the nets. Score one to the animals.
Experts think global warming could be to blame for the swarms, which drift from their spawning grounds in Chinese and Korean waters. They also say over-fishing has depleted the number of fish which would prey on the jellyfish when they were smaller.
The jellyfish invasion is already said to have cost the Japanese fishing industry millions of Yen. Check out the jumbo jellies, after the jump.




































Comments:
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Tuesday 01 December
By joker
nae luck japan. i have no sympathy. canna go around killing the number of whales they do without the sea getting its revenge. ha ha ha ha
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Wednesday 16 December
By Witch
Yep, that's karma. I absolutely love Japan but a few of them do seem to have something against whales.
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Wednesday 16 December
By trev
I remember back in the 60s seeing giant jelly fish off the scottish west coast
even coming into harbour, they were probably not the same type but never the less very large
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Saturday 19 December
By ejfalle
Like Joker 01 Dec I too have absolutely no sympathy for Japan and it's fisherman. This nation will kill anything that breaths, whether on land or beneath the sea. Dont even mention the whaling. This nation should be ashamed of itself. Liz
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Saturday 19 December
By Super Sparks
Mmmmmmm the Japanese eat jellyfish, so what's the problem?
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Saturday 19 December
By Comdiver
Still have not said sorry for the way they treated POWs during the war, may they rot in hell.
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Saturday 19 December
By Comdiver
They still not have said sorry for the way they treated POWs during the war. May they rot in hell.
Reply
Saturday 19 December
By john oconnor
What !! The Jelly fish were in the war ???
Saturday 19 December
By Darragh
Come on! Grow up.The Japanese eat whales so they are killing them for food. We kill cows, chickens, pigs, sheep ect.Talk about double standards.
ps. Liz you spelt breathes wrong
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Wednesday 23 December
By Andysmp
whale farms? might be idea if they want to keep eat after wiping out the entire species, maybe you'd like a side order of dog with your 40lb whale steak?
Wednesday 23 December
By andysmp
whale farms? might be idea if they want to keep eating whale after wiping out the entire species, maybe you'd like a side order of dog with your
40lb whale steak?
Saturday 19 December
By Gland In My Hand
Obviously they are not eating enough of them lmao
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