Cannibalistic Jellyfish Invade Venice, Scientists Warn

On 30 January 2026, scientists released a warning that Venice’s lagoon is experiencing a rapid surge of a newly identified cannibalistic jellyfish species known as the warty comb jelly. The Latin name, *Chrysoporthe cercoidea*, bloomed in record numbers after unusually warm sea temperatures followed the summer of 2025. Researchers estimate that the current population exceeds 10 million individuals, a ten‑fold increase from 2024. Because the jellyfish feed voraciously on fish, crustaceans and even other jellyfish, the bloom threatens the lagoon’s fishing industries, tourist shipping routes and delicate coral‑reef habitats. Climate‑driven ocean warming is cited as the primary driver, prompting calls for monitoring and potential mitigation measures.