A 21-year-old free diver and conservationist from Pembrokeshire recorded video of a large lion’s mane jellyfish off the Welsh coastline near Trefin Beach. The jellyfish measured between 10 to 15 metres in length, prompting the diver to describe it as roughly the size of a bus or small train.
Lion’s mane jellyfish are typically found in colder Scottish waters and are rarely spotted along the Welsh coast. According to marine biologist Dr. Cathy Lucas from the University of Southampton, these jellyfish occasionally reach Welsh waters later in the summer or autumn months, based on public sighting records. The species derives its name from its long tentacles and can grow up to 3 metres in body length, though their tentacles can extend between 30 to 36.5 metres, making them among the longest animals on Earth.
Dr. Lucas noted that while lion’s mane stings are described as the most severe in UK waters, they are not considered dangerous to humans. She advised that contact should be avoided, and if stung, the affected area should be treated by flicking off tentacle fragments with a stick and washing with warm water. The diver emphasizes that incidents typically occur only when swimmers inadvertently encounter the jellyfish directly.
The conservationist records underwater footage for social media to raise awareness about marine threats and changes in ocean ecosystems. He has observed an increasing number of jellyfish entering Welsh waters alongside warm-water species becoming more abundant in the region, including fish native to the Mediterranean. The diver stresses his commitment to documenting marine life without causing harm to the animals he encounters.
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