Publications

Barik, KK; Jena, AK; Mohanty, SK; Srichandan, S; Baliarsingh, SK; Samanta, A; Chhotaray, PK; Joseph, S; Nair, TMB (2025). Probing a Blue Button Jellies Beach Stranding Event on the East Coast of India. JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF REMOTE SENSING.

Abstract
This study investigates an event of mass beach stranding of blue button jellies (Porpita porpita) that occurred in September 2024 on one of the ecologically and socio-economically important regions, Astaranga, on the east coast of India. This gelatinous animal aggregation event caused ephemeral beach pollution, hindered fishing operations, and hampered tourism. Local fishermen and beachgoers speculated several scientific/non-scientific reasons behind the stranding event. Therefore, in a quest to understand the reason behind the aggregation, this study carried out backtracking of the event by probing the possible conducive conditions utilizing satellite and model retrieved data. Spatio-temporal variability of sea surface temperature revealed a sequential rise in the temperature ranging between 28.8 and 30.5 degrees C, revealing a rise of similar to 1.7 degrees C favouring the proliferation of blue button jellies. Additionally, the pattern of surface current and wind suggested that the pre-existing local depression in the north-western Bay of Bengal played a critical role for the possible propagation of warmer water from north to south. Interestingly, the variability of phytoplankton biomass also discerned a higher concentration (similar to 0.73-5.76 mg m(-3), avg. 3 mg m(-3)) prior to the aggregation event, suggesting ample quantity of prey availability to blue button jellies through the evolution of food chain. Sea surface currents revealed a coast-ward direction prior to the event, providing a plausible factor for washing away blue button swarms to the beach, resulting in the stranding event.

DOI:
10.1007/s12524-025-02214-y

ISSN:
0974-3006