“We were very surprised to find them in front of the house in the middle of December.
At first we thought it must have been because of pollution.
Because this season, I don't think it ever happened.
When you see it, it's more at the end of summer.
»François, an inhabitant of Courseulles-sur-mer (Calvados), discovered one morning several jellyfish on the beach, at the foot of his house.
And many walkers along the Normandy coasts were also surprised.
It must be said that in all, hundreds of these funny gelatinous animals have washed up in recent days along the coast, especially in Calvados, Courseulles-sur-mer and Bernières-sur-mer, but also in the Manche, on the west coast of Cotentin.
On some of these beaches, we discover every 10 or 20 meters one of these white or bluish masses that look like small inflated plastic.
The phenomenon at this time of year is particularly rare and therefore raises questions, particularly environmental and climatic.
Beware of allergic reactions if you touch them
Yet most specialists agree that global warming is not at stake here.
“Everything suggests that schools of jellyfish were surprised by the strength and direction of the currents, exceptionally combined with strong gusts of wind which suddenly swept them towards the ground.
It must be said that jellyfish are generally allowed to drift on the surface and do not have the capacity to go upstream.
So much so that in such circumstances, they run aground, ”explains Matthieu Boizumault, director of the company Jellyfish, which specializes in the study and breeding of jellyfish.
Read alsoBillions of jellyfish washed up on a beach in the Hérault
The jellyfish found on the beaches in recent days all belong to the so-called “cauliflower” species, which can reach up to one meter in diameter.
They are not stinging.
However, in principle, you should never touch a jellyfish, which can cause allergic reactions in humans, especially since even failed, many of them still remain alive for several hours.
