Jellyfish on sale at a pier in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]

A fisherman surnamed Xie delightedly shared news of a bountiful daily jellyfish harvest totaling 1,500 kilograms on the morning of Sept 8, while helping customers handle jellyfish at a pier in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Xie captured the jellyfish during his voyage to Xiangshan Port, which commenced around 8:00 pm the previous day. Xiangshan is a coastal county administrated by Ningbo.

Traditionally, during this season, fisherman consider themselves fortunate if they catch two or three jellyfish in a day. However, this year has surpassed expectations, with small boats bringing in over 500 kg daily and larger vessels reeling in up to 5,000 kg, as revealed by a fisherman surnamed Zhu. Despite operating a smaller boat, Zhu himself managed a harvest of 900 kg, expressing astonishment at the sheer abundance.

One local resident, who purchased 100 kg for personal use, shared his lifelong fondness for jellyfish. He described how he salts and cures them at home for consumption, highlighting their remarkable shelf life of over a year.

"Previously priced at 10 yuan ($1.41) per kg, they now sell for approximately 3 yuan per kg. With these affordable rates, it's a fantastic opportunity to stock up, preserve, and share with loved ones," added another resident.

Some fishermen have likened this year's jellyfish harvest in Xiangshan Port to a once-in-a-half-decade event.

The jellyfish bonanza extends beyond Xiangshan Port, with regions like Zhoushan, Jiaxing, and the provinces of Jiangsu and Shandong all reporting significant yields this year. This surge in jellyfish population is attributed to various factors such as ecological conditions, climate, and release strategies.

"The thriving jellyfish population reflects the improved marine ecosystems, " remarked Jiang Honglei, a specialist in germplasm and seedlings at the Ningbo Institute of Marine and Fisheries. Favorable climate conditions this year, characterized by prolonged high temperatures and minimal rainfall, have created optimal conditions for jellyfish growth, including suitable seawater salinity levels.

While jellyfish primarily feed on plankton, occasionally consuming small fish and shrimp, overcrowding can lead to food competition with other marine species. However, given their one-year lifespan, jellyfish numbers are expected to decrease after the reproductive season in September and October, aligning with changing weather patterns.