World Jellyfish Day 2023: Know its date, history and significance

There is much to know and appreciate when it comes to honouring sea jellies - more typically known as jellyfish. Not many are aware that there is a whole day dedicated to honouring these marine organisms. As World Jellyfish Day approaches, here's taking a look at the history and significance of the same.

When is World Jellyfish Day?

For those interested in dedicating a day to honour these wondrous creatures of the sea, World Jellyfish Day is just around the corner. Since 2014, World Jellyfish Day has been celebrated every year on November 3. There is also a special reason why World Jellyfish Day falls during the beginnings of winter season. 

Jellyfish, originally inhabiting the coastlines and depths of the southern hemisphere, start migrating to the northern hemisphere as the weather starts changing. The reason for this is the fact that November is spring time in southern hemisphere. It is in honour of this that the date for World Jellyfish Day has been set at November 3.

What is the significance of World Jellyfish Day?

Jellyfish happen to have a massive impact on global marine plankton ecosystems. They impact these ecosystems in terms of biomass, spatiotemporal dynamics and community structure. They are also extensively studied by researchers for the same. Not just this, culturally, jellyfish are served as food in many cultures. These marine organisms, in China for instance, are seen as both a delicacy as well as an important part of traditional treatments. 

It is believed that jellyfish have existed on earth for upwards of 500 million years which makes them older than dinosaurs - this in itself is definitely reason enough to have a day dedicated to celebrate them. A rather interesting feature about jellyfish is that some of them can also glow in the dark - an enchanting sight in the depths of the ocean.