Understand, model and predict the influx of jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca

The research project Jelly Watch is a multi-disciplinary project aimed at understanding and predicting massive appearance of the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca in the coastal areas of the region PACA. The jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca is a stinging jellyfish that can cause harm to coastal Mediterranean coast. The appearances of this massive jellyfish impacting including tourism, fisheries, fish farming. His influence on the fauna and flora is unknown. To help coastal stakeholders, this study will better understand the formation of swarms of jellyfish and predict their strandings on the coast of the Ligurian Sea and Gulf of Lion.
To do this, tools, satellite, meteorological, hydrodynamic and biological will be used. Predictive models will be constructed and validated at sea These models take into account the biological characteristics of jellyfish determined in the laboratory and at sea during the validation phase of model cooperation with the coastal municipalities will be organized, involving the oversight agencies and health agencies écovolontaires.
Once validated models, know-how will be transferred to a start-up being formed, which will support the commercial exploitation of these solutions, thus creating permanent and seasonal jobs.

This project was improved in January 2009