THE JELLYFISH with the most powerful and painful sting of any found on UK shores has been spotted off the Ceredigion coast in Cardigan Bay.

The Lion’s Mane jellyfish was spotted in July, as the Marine Conservation Society launches its annual jellyfish survey.

MCS, the UK’s leading marine charity, says the number of jellyfish blooms – when jellies mass together – in UK coastal waters is on the increase as our seas start to warm up.

MCS said that a sighting of Lion’s Mane jellyfish was made in July and has urged residents to get involved in their survey and report any jellyfish finds on county beaches.

Lion’s mane (Cyanea capillata) - has the most powerful and painful sting of the UK species. It blooms during the summer but is rarely seen south of the Irish Sea (west coast), or south of Northumberland (east coast), with most reports coming from Scottish waters.

MCS says that anyone who comes across a jellyfish at sea or on the beach should look but don’t touch, but report their sightings at www.mcsuk.org.

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