A large jellyfish with a bell diameter of up to 60 cm has been spotted for the first time in Maltese waters. 

The egg-yolk jellyfish (Phacellophora camtschatica) preys on smaller jellyfish species and provides shelter to the juvenile stages of carangid fish species such as jacks and mackerels. 

The egg-yolk jellyfish only imparts a mild sting. Photo: Pete Bullen/Oceanfoto.co.uk

Despite its imposing size, the species only imparts a very mild sting. 

The species, which is often found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans but rarely in the Mediterranean, was spotted locally by marine photographer Pete Bullen and identified by the University of Lecce's Stefan Piraino. 

Almost 40 jellyfish species are known to date from Maltese waters, with the Spot the Jellyfish campaign contributing almost 10 new species records since it began in June 2010. 

Submissions to this campaign, supported by the MTA, Blue Flag and the International Ocean Institute, can be made through the campaign website, Facebook page or by emailing coordinator Alan Deidun from the Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta.

A new set of Spot the Jellyfish seaside jellyfish boards will be installed at local beaches by early May. An improved jellyfish dispersion model developed within the ambit of the MED-JELLYRISK project will be released for public use in the coming weeks, in time for the next bathing season.