Researchers from the UPV and the UA develop a new anti-jellyfish floating buoy

Researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the University of Alicante have developed a new anti-jellyfish floating buoy, which helps to prevent these creatures from reaching the coast, thereby reducing the risk of stings among bathers.

The buoy is equipped with various electronic components, power sources and a series of coils that generate electromagnetic fields, paralysing jellyfish and preventing them from approaching the bathing area. This system has been designed and tested by a team from the Research Institute for Integrated Management of Coastal Areas, based at the UPV Gandia campus, coordinated by Jaime Lloret.

"Jellyfish move by pulsating, contracting their bell to create a flow of water that allows them to move. By generating electromagnetic fields, it is possible to reduce the number of pulsations in jellyfish, and even paralyse them, thereby reducing their ability to move and maintain their position," explains Lloret.

In this way, their movements are temporarily restricted, but once they move away from the emitter, gravity and currents restore their full mobility.

The technology is completely harmless and sustainable, creating an immediate deterrent effect on jellyfish without harming them or producing any waste that harms the marine environment. "The system is completely harmless and, once outside the device's range, they can move about as normal," adds César Bordehore, scientific coordinator of the Marine Research Laboratory at the University of Alicante.

Furthermore, unlike physical barriers, which affect other species as well, this system acts solely on jellyfish without harming other species. Among its advantages, it stands out for its lower cost compared to physical barriers and for requiring less maintenance due to its size. 'In addition, the main components of the device are concentrated within the floating buoy, making access to it and the repair or replacement of components much simpler,' they conclude.

Additional sensors

The buoy also incorporates other sensors developed by the IGIC team at the Universitat Politècnica de València, enabling the measurement of various water parameters, such as temperature, turbidity, chlorophyll, and oxygen levels.

This new system is the result of more than five years of research by the IGIC team. Alongside Jaime Lloret, the UPV team behind this system comprises Sandra Sendra, Lorena Parra and Alberto Ivars, who is currently completing his bachelor's thesis on this buoy designed to protect swimmers from stings without harming the jellyfish.