Attack of the Jellyfish

Cat Fact: The normal respiratory rate range for cats is between 20 and 30 breaths per minute.

The Dolls and I were doing our daily perusal of the top news stories when we noticed one headline that looked particularly ominous. The story involved what scientists are calling an alarming proliferation of jellyfish in the world’s oceans. They say climate change and the subsequent warming of the oceans combined with pollution are causing this population explosion.

The increase in pollution in certain areas, such as the waters around China is leading to an increase in the plankton that the jellyfish feed on. The warmer waters farther north caused by global warming are allowing certain jellyfish species to increase their range. The increased jellyfish populations are threatening fisheries in countries like Japan. A solution to this problem is desperately being sought.

Annie: Those things are gross!

Charlie: Yeah! And they are causing real problems, too!

Annie: Good thing it does not affect US!

Charlie: Sure it does.

Annie: I know it hurts the fishermen by reducing yields and might make that fish dinner mama orders in a restaurant more expensive, but I don’t see why we should be concerned.

Charlie: That fancy gourmet canned food they buy for us contains fish, right?

Annie: Ohhhhh, I see what you’re getting at. That is a problem! But the problem is a jellyFISH population explosion, after all.

Charlie: I wonder how they taste? I’m willing to give it a try....

Annie: Yeah, serve ‘em up! We’ll reduce their numbers and save the planet!