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Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Rhodri Harrison

Huge Barrel jellyfish filmed swimming in shallow waters off Gower beach

Stunning footage has been captured of a large Barrel jellyfish swimming in shallow waters alongside a frequent visitor to a popular Gower beach.

Angela Pearce has spent the summer in Llanmadoc, not too far from Broughton Bay, where she recorded footage of the large Barrel jellyfish, the largest common jellyfish found in the UK but by no means any serious danger to humans.

One paddleboarder said there were so many jellyfish in the sea "you couldn't put an oar between them".

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The Barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) is the biggest and most common jellyfish found in Gower waters and can grow to "three feet long".

But the species is considered largely harmless to humans.

Angela Pearce added: "We have been visiting Broughton Bay all summer and usually see a large number of them but never anything this big and in such waters.

"I saw something splashing around in the distance and was amazed by how beautiful it was and showed my son, I think all parents should teach their children about wildlife so they are not scared by them" she said.

Marine Wildlife guide for SeaMor Dolphin Watching Boat Trips, Josh Pedley said: "They do sting but it is mild and unless you have an allergic reaction to it, it is nothing to be worried about and it is very similar to a stringing nettle experience.

"They are incredibly common in Welsh waters and I have seen thousands in the past all over a small part of our coast. This one does look a little bigger but it is difficult to say around perspective" he said.

Gower Coast Adventures who host guided wildlife excursions between Oxwich Bay and Worm's Head has reported an increasing number of the jellyfish appearing in waters this time of year and encouraged onlookers not to panic when encountering the beauty.

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