Ralph Pace’s Image
Ralph Pace (USA) finds himself in the middle of a mass or ‘smack’ of Pacific sea nettles.
To try to protect himself from stings while taking this photograph, Ralph smeared petroleum jelly on any skin not covered by his wetsuit.
The trailing tentacles can deliver a painful sting. Ralph says this feels more like that of a bee than a nettle.
Jellyfish are appearing in larger numbers because they’re highly adaptable to warming seas.
Some biologists think that more frequent smacks are a sign of rising ocean temperatures.
Overfishing is another factor because it removes predators and competitors.