Apolemia jellyfish under the microscope. Otherwise known as string jellyfish, apolemia was a leading cause of fish mortality in Norway last winter.
Photo: FIRUM.
The Aquaculture Research Center of the Faroes (FIRUM) has announced the launch of GLOBECC, a newly funded initiative aimed at establishing a foundation for monitoring jellyfish biodiversity in Faroese waters.
The project addresses the growing concern of harmful jellyfish blooms, which are becoming an increasing problem for aquaculture in other salmon-producing countries like Norway and Scotland. Climate change is expected to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of these blooms.
Despite these concerns, little is currently known about the jellyfish species inhabiting Faroese waters, their distribution, life cycles, and any changes over time. GLOBECC, which stands for Gelatinous Lifeforms in Faroese Waters: Biodiversity, Regional Connectivity, and Capacity Building, seeks to answer these questions.
The project is led by Dr. Amanda Vang, head of the Biotechnology department at FIRUM, and involves a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the Faroes and Norway, as well as industry collaborators.
Over its two-year duration, the project will utilize existing marine research surveys from both FIRUM and the Faroe Islands Marine Institute. It will also incorporate aquaculture monitoring initiatives with salmon producer Bakkafrost and citizen science projects in collaboration with the Arctic Oceanarium of the Faroe Islands.
One of GLOBECC's primary objectives is to establish the first reference database for Faroese jellyfish. This database will include microscope images and DNA analysis of jellyfish specimens collected during the project. It will also be instrumental in developing genetic tests to identify high-risk species, providing a crucial tool for managing Faroese aquaculture.
Another key goal is to create baseline data to track genetic changes in the jellyfish community structure, which could be influenced by climate change at both regional and global levels.
The project also plans to hold several workshops to enhance Faroese expertise in gelatinous zooplankton taxonomy and promote marine stewardship through public science initiatives.
GLOBECC is funded by the Faroese Research Council, with additional contributions from project partners. These partners include Firum - Aquaculture Research Center of the Faroes (the project leader), Faroe Marine Research Institute, Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority, Arctic Oceanarium, Bakkafrost, University Museum of Bergen, and the Institute of Marine Research from Norway, as well as Bakkafrost Scotland.
