Jellyfish bloom along Taytay, Palawan coastline common in extreme heat; no cause for alarm – BFAR

Hundreds of pink jellyfish, also called tomato jellyfish or labong-labong, were spotted along the coastline of Taytay, Palawan. 

In Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, Municipal Agriculturist Office - Taytay, Palawan Aquaculture Technician I Marry Ann Bayani said they smelled something fishy on the morning of Tuesday, which prompted them to check the coastline.

“Na-check po namin ‘yung sa gilid kasi low tide nga po, Tinignan ko, napansin po namin marami na pong pink na jellyfish na nagkalat doon. Nagulat lang po talaga kami kasi first time ko po nakita na sobrang daming ganong klaseng jellyfish,” she said.

Upon seeing the jellyfish, Bayani surmised that it was because of the change in the water's temperature.

“Siguro po ‘yung pag-iiba ng temperature ng tubig. ‘Yung cold water," she said. 

According to Kuya Kim, tomato jellyfish or labong-labong (Crambione mastigophora), which are commonly found in the Indo-Pacific waters, can grow up to 40 centimeters.

Citing the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Kuya Kim added that tomato jellyfish are often observed during hot weather.

“This is not rare this time. Mayroon naman talaga sa area na ‘yon. You can attribute that to the extreme heat, lalo na sa coastal waters. Pwede pa nating i-attribute ito sa availability of food,” said BFAR MIMAROPA OIC-Regional Director Roberto Rodriguez Abrera. 

While the sting of labong-labong is not fatal, the public should be cautious around this type of jellyfish, as it can cause itchiness. 

"There's no cause to panic sa ating mga beachgoer and even local communities. In the first place itong area hindi naman tourism beach area, nothing to cause for alarm. Hayaan lang po. Natural phenomenon ito," Abrera added. 

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News