The non-stinging fried egg jellyfish has been seen in Żurrieq as part of the Spot the Jellyfish campaign. The species is also known as tal-lampuki since it arrives in Maltese waters during the same time every year.

Despite its size, the fried egg jellyfish is innocuous and its occurrence is short-lived, normally extending until the start of October.

The species, which has purple, bulbous tentacles and a dark yellow bell that can reach 30cm in diameter, should not be harmed, campaign coordinator Alan Deidun said.

The Spot the Jellyfish initiative relies on public collaboration to record the presence and location of different jellyfish by using a dedicated reporting leaflet.

The leaflet is being widely distributed and can be downloaded from www.ioikids.net/jellyfish.

Since the campaign began in May 2010, about 800 records of different species have been submitted by the public.

This is done by matching the sighted jellyfish to a visual identification guide, giving the date and time of the sighting and indicating the number seen.

Sightings can be also reported online or submitted through an SMS on 7922 2278, or by sending an e-mail to ioi-moc@um.edu.mt.