MEPS

Marine Ecology Progress Series

MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

Impact Factor2.1 (JCR 2025 release)

Article Acceptance Rate52.2% (2024)

Average Time in Review216 days (2024)

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Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 591:267-279 (2018)

Jellyfish summer distribution, diversity and impact on fish farms in a Nordic fjord

ABSTRACT: Jellyfish can cause high mortality of farmed fish and hence significant economic losses for the aquaculture industry. Despite their socio-economic importance, distribution and diversity data on gelatinous plankton are scarce from northern Norwegian fjords and other Nordic systems. Intense blooms of jellyfish have repeatedly been observed in Ryggefjord, Finnmark (Norway), sometimes concurrent with severe health problems of salmon. In the present study, the jellyfish community of this fjord was studied in summer 2015. In July, at least 13 species were identified using a combination of morphological and molecular techniques. High densities of small Beroe spp. and ctenophore larvae in cydippid stage dominated the surface waters. Adult Beroe cucumis were also present. Molecular identification revealed the presence of juvenile Euphysa tentaculata, as well as 2 species each of Clytia and Obelia. Obelia longissima was identified from both its pelagic (medusa) and benthic (polyp) stages, indicating that some local populations can complete their entire life cycle in the fjord. Abundances were significantly different between inner and outer parts of the fjord, and in relation to the prevailing wind direction. A dense bloom of the hydrozoan Dipleurosoma typicum in September coincided with high mortalities of farmed fish, suggesting a causal relationship. We conclude that the jellyfish assemblage in Ryggefjord is dynamic on short time scales and structured by both oceanographic conditions and local reproduction. A better understanding of seasonal population development and the relationships between hydrography, abundance and species composition is required to develop mitigation strategies for aquaculture operations.

KEYWORDS

Claudia Halsband (Corresponding Author)

  • Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
claudia.halsband@akvaplan.niva.no

Sanna Majaneva (Corresponding Author)

  • Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
  • UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
claudia.halsband@akvaplan.niva.no

Aino Hosia (Co-author)

  • University Museum of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway

Per Arne Emaus (Co-author)

  • Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway

Frank Gaardsted (Co-author)

  • Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway

Qin Zhou (Co-author)

  • Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway

Ole Anders Nøst (Co-author)

  • Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway

Paul E. Renaud (Co-author)

  • Akvaplan-niva, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
  • University Centre in Svalbard, 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway