LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO THIS SUMMER? Mason County Sportsman’s Association's website hosts a to list of classes and events hosted in their indoor range in Shelton.
Questions? Message phone:
(360) 427-1102
masoncountysa.org
For instance, increased runoff from agriculture and urban development introduces nutrients that can intensify plankton blooms, indirectly supporting larger jellyfish populations. While this may seem like a success story for jellies, it often signals ecosystem imbalance. In extreme cases, jellyfish blooms can disrupt fisheries by clogging nets, consuming fish larvae, and competing with commercial species for food. Plastic pollution also poses a risk. Jellyfish sometimes ingest microplastics, mistaking them for prey, and may in turn be eaten by larger animals like salmon or sea turtles, passing toxins up the food chain. Interestingly, the translucent structure of jellyfish makes them particularly difficult to spot when entangled in discarded fishing gear, meaning they can suffer unnoticed in ghost nets. Despite these concerns, jellyfish have become unlikely ambassadors for science, conservation, and discovery. One of the most important breakthroughs in modern biology came from the crystal jelly, found off the coast of Friday Harbor. Scientists discovered green fluorescent protein (GFP) in this species—a molecule that glows green under ultraviolet light. GFP acts like a molecular flashlight when inserted into other organisms, allowing researchers to track genes and observe biological processes in real time. This discovery revolutionized genetic and medical research, earning a Nobel Prize and highlighting the hidden value of marine life.
CONCLUSION Encountering jellyfish while diving in the Salish Sea is never ordinary. Whether it’s a moon jelly's hypnotic pulse or a crystal jelly's rare glow, these animals embody a unique blend of grace, resilience, and ecological importance. They are living filters, slow-motion drifters, and seasonal storytellers, revealing much about the world beneath FJORD the waves. 22
While some may still associate jellyfish with stings or beach closures, divers know better. To hover beside a jelly in its element is to witness nature in its purest form—unhurried, mysterious, and vital. In a time when ocean health is at risk, jellyfish remind us that beauty and science are not separate but intertwined. Their presence is more than a summer spectacle—it’s a quiet signal that even the oldest life forms still move among us, pulsing with stories the sea has never stopped telling. To witness one is to glimpse time suspended—fragile, pulsing, and older than memory.
MEET THE AUTHOR
THOM ROBBINS I am fascinated with the underwater world here in the Pacific Northwest. I have been a diver for over thirty years and have never been happier than underwater with a camera. I spend as much time underwater as possible. I love writing, shooting pictures, or teaching diving and photography. You can learn more about me atthomrobbins.com. When not diving, I spend time with my wonderful, patient wife, Barb. We live in Shelton, Washington, where we relish a relaxed lifestyle close to world-class diving spots. Barb’s support has been instrumental in my passion for diving; she is my best and often harshest critic, constantly pushing me to capture better photos. Our 21-year-old son inspires me to be a better person every day. Completing our family are our two English Bulldogs, who bring us endless joy.
