This project aims to increase knowledge about the distribution of invasive gelatinous plankton species detected on the Mediterranean coasts.

The LIFE CUBOMED project, launched by the University of Alicante, aimed to increase knowledge about the current and future distribution and ecological requirements of invasive gelatinous plankton species that have been detected on the coasts of the Spanish Mediterranean: Carybdea marsupialis (cubomedusa), Mnemiopsis leidyi (ctenophore) and Phyllorhiza punctata (scyphomedusa).

Some of the activities that have been carried out for this are:

• Distribution and identification of areas at high risk of proliferations of Carybdea marsupialis, Mnemiopsis leidyi and Phyllorhiza punctata
• Joint work within the framework of the jellyfish sightings network created. I work in collaboration with other European projects on the same subject
• Determination of the environmental parameters that affect the development and expansion of Carybdea marsupialis, Mnemiopsis leidyi and Phyllorhiza punctata

The actions carried out have served to maintain and meet the objectives set out in the project. It has been possible to determine the most appropriate sampling methodology for each phase of the reproductive cycle of this jellyfish, the points of the coast with the highest incidence of C. marsupialis have been identified, a distribution model of the probability of development of high abundances of the species has been carried out and a map of the entire study area of direct or indirect sightings has been developed.

On the other hand, the project has contributed to substantially improve the knowledge of the ecology of Carybdea marsupialis, the analyses developed have allowed correlating the presence of box-edusae with environmental, abiotic and biotic data and indicate that changes in the environment related to coastal eutrophication could be one of the factors that favor the demographic explosions of the species. To a lesser extent, due to the difficulties encountered, the project has contributed to improving knowledge about the human health condition of Carybdea marsupialis.

Likewise, the project has contributed to quantifying the incidence of the rest of the species of stinging jellyfish on human health and establishing suggestions for the user and for the competent Administrations to reduce the effects on health (risk reduction, management strategies and health care protocols).