A novel solution has been developed to curb the arrival of jellyfish, one of the main enemies of beachgoers every summer. The Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystem Management and Restoration (GRE) research group has created an innovative technology consisting of an electronic system capable of deterring and reducing the arrival of these marine animals to coastal areas by generating electromagnetic fields.
Jellyfish movement relies on pulsations through which they contract their bell to create a flow of water that allows them to move. By creating electromagnetic fields, it is possible to reduce the number of these pulsations, thereby limiting their ability to move and maintain their position, according to the academic institution.
In this way, their movements are temporarily restricted. However, when they move away from the emitter due to gravity and currents, they regain their full mobility. The University of Alicante (UA) guarantees that the system is completely harmless and, once outside the device’s range, the animals can move regularly.
“The technology is entirely harmless and sustainable, as it generates an immediate deterrent effect on jellyfish without causing them any harm and without producing any waste that affects the marine environment,” the research group explains. Furthermore, “unlike physical barriers that also affect other species, this system acts only on jellyfish without producing negative effects on other species.”
The technology allows for the removal of these animals from sensitive areas such as water catchment areas, aquaculture facilities, or bathing areas. It consists of a floating buoy that incorporates the device with its various electronic components and power sources, alongside a chain with a weight at its lower end to keep the structure upright. In addition, it has a series of coils that generate electromagnetic fields, with wave emitters placed at different points along the chain at various depths.
According to the researchers, “the solution is more effective than other options, ensuring that it affects any specimen that approaches the device, providing greater safety against potential blockages in industrial systems and protecting bathing areas on the coast.”
Another advantage noted by the researchers is that “it has a lower cost than physical barriers and requires less maintenance due to its dimensions, and, in addition, the main elements of the device are concentrated in the floating buoy, making access to it and the repair or replacement of components easier.”
The technology is geared towards protecting sensitive marine areas from the presence of jellyfish, either for the protection of bathers or for companies that carry out their activity in coastal environments or that require the collection of seawater, such as desalination plants, aquaculture facilities or other industries.
The innovation is protected by a patent application. The Research Results Transfer Office (OTRI) of the University of Alicante has launched a technology offer to find companies interested in its commercial exploitation through licence agreements and R and D project development.
