Cannonball jellyfish swimming in the Atlantic Ocean off Cocoa Beach.
Jason Cristofalo took some great underwater photos of some Cannonball Jellyfish (Stomolophus meleagris) swimming off Cocoa Beach, Florida this week and was kind enough to share them with everyone. Here’s what he said in his email to me:
I found your website (beachhunter.net) and thought you might be interested in these pictures and video for your website. Feel free to use the pictures and the video I have linked you to on you tube of the cannonball jellyfish. From your website i have identified the jellyfish in my pictures as cannonball jellyfish. I liked your website it was very informative with excellent photos. My photos were taken on 5/22/11 off of cocoa beach,fl about 60 yards off shore. The jellyfish were at the surface and were visible to about seven feet deep and the quantities of them were numerous.
Cannonball Jellyfish (Stomolophus meleagris) off Cocoa Beach, FL.
Cannonball Jellyfish, also called Cabbagehead Jellyfish, are very common in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida’s coastline and are frequently seen washed up on the beach. They are fairly strong swimmers. These jellies are not dangerous. Most people are not affected by coming in contact with them briefly, though they do have an irritating secretion that does burn quite a bit if it gets in your eyes.
Here’s some underwater video that Jason posted on YouTube:
