Jellyfish Fishery Research Articles

Redescription of the commercially harvested jellyfish, Crambionella orsini and Lobonemoides gracilis (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) from Sri Lanka

ABSTRACT Two types of edible jellyfish, namely ‘ball-type’ and ‘white-type’, were reported to be commercially harvested respectively from the southeast and northwest coasts of Sri Lanka, but their taxonomic identity was unknown. Therefore, medusae collected in the ‘Waya-jel-Survey’, together with specimens from museums, were examined, comparing their morphomeristic data with information from the literature. As per results, the ‘ball-type’ and ‘white-type’ jellyfish species were recognized respectively as Crambionella orsini (Vanhöffen 1888) and Lobonemoides gracilis Light 1914 for the first time from Sri Lanka, with a detailed account of morphological features. Among the four valid species of the genus Crambionella, C. orsini is distinguished by the presence of 16 velar lappets per octant, without tubercles. The two congeners of L. gracilis, namely L. robustus Stiasny 1920 and L. sewelli Rao 1931, were synonymized to L. gracilis, making Lobonemoides monospecific, thus L. gracilis is recognized by the presence of papillae on the exumbrella; 1–6 elongated velar lappets between two successive rhopalia; and the window-like openings and long, spindle-shaped appendages on the oral arms. Likewise, the present study re-describes C. orsini and L. gracilis providing a basic component for efficient management of jellyfish fishery resources in Sri Lanka as well as in other Asian countries.

Rhizostomes as a resource:The expanding exploitation of jellyfish by humans.

While jellyfish are often considered to be a nuisance, their value to ecosystems and for human exploitation is shifting this perception. People have been eating jellyfish for millennia. In recent decades, the scale of jellyfish fisheries has expanded dramatically, with annual catches in the hundreds of thousands of tonnes. The overwhelming majority of jellyfish species targeted for human consumption are from the order Rhizostomeae, which can also be fed to livestock and certain species in mariculture operations. The use of rhizostome jellyfish is expanding beyond food applications, such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, especially for collagen and other bioactive compounds. Jellyfish collagen is high in antioxidants, can act as an immunostimulator, and has applications for tissue engineering and medical implements. Jellyfish venom extracts exhibit high biological activities, including those that are antihypertensive, antimicrobial, and anticancer. Jellyfish can also be used as fertilizers and insecticides, and jellyfish mucus appears to have potential as a filter for nanoparticles and microplastics, suggesting possible applications in wastewater treatment. Most of these applications are still in developmental stages, and beyond their use as food, jellyfish are not targeted at commercial scale, apart from collagen extraction. As research advances, exploitation of jellyfish is expected to continue expanding. Given the lack of knowledge and understanding regarding jellyfish fisheries and their management, caution should be exhibited to avoid overfishing.

Jellyfish fisheries along the Gujarat coast, India: Status and challenges

The study exemplified jellyfish fisheries along India's Northwest coast, constituted by two emerging Scyphozoan species, Catostylus perezi and Rhopilema hispidum, which swarmed in and around the Gulf of Kutch. Jellyfishing operations were small-scale and operated by motorised crafts, primarily using scoop nets. The fishing season fluctuated between March-May and October-December. The jellyfish landings from November 2017 to February 2020 were 13569.95 metric tonnes (82.1% C. perezi and 17.9% R. hispidum) of oral arms contributed by Jakhau (67.37%) and Okha (32.63%) jellyfish focal stations, making it a nascent small-scale commercial fishery, which indicates a shift in harvest from fish to jellyfish. In 2018, the estimated value of landed jellyfish (6538.4 metric tonnes) at first sale was ₹78.46 million ($1.14 million). The jellyfishing closures due to socio-sectoral conflicts and unsuitable weather conditions were considered for a 30.71% reduction in 2019. After processing using salt and alum, the semi-dried oral arms of C. perezi and R. hispidum were locally traded as salted-banana-jhar and salted-flower-jhar, respectively. The majority (65%) of processed jellyfish were exported to China, and the rest to other Asian countries from Mundra and Pipavav ports. The myriad challenges were discussed in the nascent jellyfish fisheries. A conceptual plan was advised for developing jellyfish research as a priority area in India that may help minimise knowledge gaps and support management actions. The study recommended jellyfish as future food and secondary raw material with better harvesting and processing practices. A co-management with a precautionary approach was suggested for the sustainability of jellyfish resources.

Jellyfishing in Europe: Current Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Future Directions towards a Sustainable Practice

Jellyfish are often described as a nuisance species, but as our understanding shifts to more ecosystem-based conceptions, they are also recognized as both important components of marine ecosystems and a resource for humans. Here, we describe global jellyfish fisheries and review production, fishing methods, and applications based on the existing literature. We then focus on future development of a European jellyfish fishery based on current and recent EU research initiatives. Jellyfish have been a staple food in East Asia for eons and now show a potential for non-food applications as well. The main fishing methods are mostly traditional, with set-nets, driftnets, hand-nets, and scoop-nets utilizing small crafts or beach-seines. All require a lot of manual labor, thus providing vital, albeit seasonal, occupation to weaker populations. Larger commercial vessels such as purse seines and trawlers are newly introduced métiers which may enable a larger catch per unit effort and total catch, but pose questions of selectivity, bycatch, vessel stability, and transshipment. Social concerns arising from the seasonality of jellyfish fisheries must be met in SE Asia, Latin America, and in any location where new fisheries are established. In the EU, we recognize at least 15 species showing potential for commercial harvesting, but as of 2021, a commercial fishery has yet to be developed; as in finfish fisheries, we advise caution and recognition of the role of jellyfish in marine ecosystems in doing so. Sustainable harvesting techniques and practices must be developed and implemented for a viable practice to emerge, and social and ecological needs must also be incorporated into the management plan. Once established, the catch, effort, and stock status must be monitored, regulated, and properly reported to FAO by countries seeking a viable jellyfish fishery. In the near future, novel applications for jellyfish will offer added value and new markets for this traditional resource.

Intra- and Inter-Specific Variation in Edible Jellyfish Biomarkers and Implications for Origin Traceability and Authentication

With the continuous development of jellyfish fisheries and food products around the world, an effective traceability system has become increasingly prominent. This study provides insight into the origin traceability and authentication of two commercially important jellyfish species, flame jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum and Nomura’s jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai, while investigating the intra- and inter-specific variation in fatty acid (FA) profiles and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N). Results showed significant differences in FA profiles and isotopic values in fresh bell tissues between wild and farmed R. esculentum and among geographic origins, possibly due to different food sources, nutritional status, and energy costs that each group experiences at a given location. The linear discriminant analysis indicated that δ13C, δ15N, C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, C16:1n7, and C20:5n3 were suitable discriminatory variables with a high rate of correct classification for distinguishing origins of R. esculentum. In addition, inter-specific FA profiles/biomarkers, combined with isotopic values, suggests the variety of dietary sources and trophic positions of sympatric similar-sized R. esculentum and N. nomurai and the potential use of biomarkers, especially stable isotope analysis, for distinguishing sympatric jellyfish species. These results highlighted the complementarity of FA and stable isotope analyses and provide an alternative approach for improving the origin traceability and authenticity evaluation of untreated edible jellyfish. Furthermore, this study adds new information regarding the biochemical compositions of jellyfish species.

The race for jellyfish: Winners and losers in Mexico’s Gulf of California

The trajectory of the cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus sp. 2) fishery in the central portion of Mexico’s Gulf of California is an all too familiar one, consisting of exploration, rapid development, and, as of now, subsequent collapse. As all of the product is exported to markets overseas, buyers have little incentive to conserve local stocks, with jellyfish now exhibiting a global-scale sequential exploitation experienced by many other marine resources. While historical data gaps are often used as excuses for overexploitation after the fact, the emergence of this modern fishery was accompanied by relatively broad research interest; however, recommendations based on sound science were not followed. The resultant paucity of policy goals, regulation, cooperation, compliance, and enforcement has resulted in the mismanagement of a potentially lucrative fishery for future generations. There are always myriad challenges when attempting to manage a nascent fishery with high uncertainty, particularly in a developing country, and this case further highlights the importance of taking a precautionary approach to emerging resource extraction. Multiple prior experiences with similar outcomes should behoove regulators and managers to exhibit extra caution, and yet, sustainability and forethought still appear to be secondary to short-term profits and employment support. Nonetheless, it is perhaps not too late for cannonball jellyfish fisheries in the Gulf of California, and there are opportunities to implement management strategies that promote collaboration, research, and sustainability. This fishery requires a new management regime that embraces adaptive co-management in order to provide benefits to locals, both now and in the future.

Life Cycle of Edible Jellyfish Acromitus hardenbergi Stiasny, 1934 (Scyphozoa: Rhizostomeae) Inhabiting a Brackish-Water Environment.

Simple SummaryThe edible jellyfish Acromitus hardenbergi Stiasny, 1934 is an important fishery resource. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the life history of this brackish-water jellyfish in order to conserve the species and develop sustainable jellyfish fisheries. Matured medusae were collected at the mouth of the Perak River. Primary polyps had a long stalk with a small stolon at the base of the calyx. Fully developed polyps were bowl- or goblet-shaped. Asexual reproduction was accomplished only by means of budding. Strobilation was mono-disc type. Polyps of A. hardenbergi expand their population not by podocysts, but by budding as quickly as possible and forming one large ephyra by mono-disc strobilation without the residuum, because the polyp cannot remain for a long time at its settlement place where there is a sediment-rich environment with drastic salinity change.The edible jellyfish Acromitus hardenbergi Stiasny, 1934 is harvested throughout the year at the mouth of the Perak River, Malaysia. Although this species is an important fishery resource in the local area, limited biological studies have been carried out on it. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the life cycle of this unique brackish-water jellyfish in order to conserve the species and develop sustainable jellyfish fisheries. Mature medusae were collected at the mouth of the Perak River. Embryonic and larval development after fertilization was completed within 24 h until the planula stage and within 48 h until the polyp stage. Primary polyps had a long stalk with a small stolon at the base of the calyx. Fully developed polyps were bowl-or goblet-shaped but became an elongated stalk under starved conditions. Asexual reproduction was accomplished only by means of budding, and no podocysts were produced. Strobilation was mono-disc type. These characteristics may be adaptations to the dynamic environmental conditions in the estuary of the Perak River, where salinity fluctuates widely due to strong inflows of highly turbid freshwater coupled with tidal changes. This study suggests that polyps of A. hardenbergi expand their population not by podocysts, but by budding as quickly as possible and forming one large ephyra by mono-disc strobilation without the residuum, because the polyp cannot remain for a long time at its settlement place in the sediment-rich environment with drastic salinity change.

Analysis of the Gulf of California cannonball jellyfish fishery as a complex system

Cannonball jellyfish has become the target of an important seasonal fishery in the Gulf of California. Research has focused mainly on biological and management aspects, yet linkages and dynamics between social and ecological components have received less attention. Based on an analysis of stakeholder perceptions and its comparison with available quantitative data, this study provides a holistic view of the fishery and its actors as part of a complex adaptive system. Stakeholders include artisanal fishers, owners of improvised and permanent processing plants, foreign buyers and funders, local managers, Mexican management entities, women, and Indigenous communities. Policy guidelines and management actions must address sustainability within various dimensions as understood by those interviewed: social equity, economic benefits, and environmental responsibility. To transition to sustainability, a transdisciplinary research approach is needed to provide management advice and to strengthen fishery governance through co-management decision-making strategies.

Sustainability analysis of tomato jellyfish (Crambione mastigophora) fisheries resources management in Saleh Bay Waters, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia

Abstract. Asrial E, Marzuki M, Hamid, Khasanah RI. 2021. Sustainability analysis of tomato jellyfish (Crambione mastigophora) fisheries resources management in Saleh Bay Waters, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 512-520. The tomato jellyfish (Crambione mastigophora) or gullung (local term), is endemic in Saleh Bay, Sumbawa Island, Indonesia and has been utilized as an additional livelihood by fishermen for last two decades. Its commonly caught by 2-4 fishermen/boat using scoop net, wooden fishing vessels, and lamps as attractors and collectors of jellyfish. This study aims to determine the sustainability of jellyfish fisheries management. A survey-dependent method with sampling, observation, dialogue, and documentation techniques was applied for data compilation. The rapid appraisal for jellyfish fisheries - six dimensions (Rapjellyfish-6D), based on Rapfish technique, is utilized for analysis of the sustainability status of jellyfish fisheries management. This paper describes the sustainability analysis results for two of the six dimensions of jellyfish fisheries management, namely the technological dimension (13 attributes) as an input factor and the economic dimension as an output factor (14 attributes). At present, around 8-30 baskets/boat/day of jellyfish mouth-arms are being sold to the buyers in Saleh Bay. This catch's profit is divided between the fishermen (3 parts) and the boat owner (2 parts). The analytical results show the revenue per cost ratio (R/C Ratio) as 4.75 which means that every 1.00 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) the cost of catching jellyfish will generate IDR 4.75. The breakeven point (BEP)Price is IDR 13,158 and BEPProduction is 3.13 and 8.33 baskets/trip for the assumed price of IDR 80,000 and IDR 30,000. The technological (36.13%) sustainability status and economic (49.64%) dimension is Less Sustainable. The leverage analysis results indicate that the group of sensitive attributes in the technological and economic dimensions, respectively, consists of 5 attributes and 3 attributes. All sensitive attributes have an impact on the low value of management sustainability. The sustainability of jellyfish fisheries management in Saleh Bay has been supported by a choice of environmentally friendly fishing methods. Besides, the mouth-arm price is formed from an oligopsony market system that is not profitable for fishermen. It is suggested to the village government to build an integrated and environmentally friendly scyphozoan facility to neutralize the liquid waste generated from scyphozoan processing.

Assessment of scyphozoan diversity, distribution and blooms: Implications of jellyfish outbreaks to the environment and human welfare in Malaysia

Despite the significant impacts of scyphozoan jellyfish blooms and fishery to human welfare, scientific knowledge pertaining to the scyphozoans particularly in the tropics have not been progressive due to high species diversity and unresolved taxonomic issues. Previous works in Malaysian waters have exemplified these problems. Here, we provide the most up-to-date collation of research data on scyphozoan jellyfish from Malaysian waters pertaining to their valid species names, distribution and habitat through field surveys and examination of past records. We further examined the threats and positive impacts of the local scyphozoan blooms to human welfare. Twenty identified and verified species, nine unidentified species (i.e. to the genus level only) and five unverified species of scyphozoan from the orders of Rhizostomeae, Semaeostomeae and Coronatae in the Malaysian waters are reported. Versuriga anadyomene is a first record for the Malaysian region, while the edible Lobonemoides robustus is a first record in the eastern waters of Peninsular Malaysia. Species richness was the highest in southern Peninsular Malaysia (19 species), with the mangrove–mudflat habitats having more species (nine species) than the other coastal habitats. Chrysaora chinensis was generally more abundant than other species in the sandy-beach areas. Some species appear to be habitat-specific; Acromitus hardenbergi was only found in the Perak River and Sungei Buloh mangrove-estuary while Cassiopea, Cephea and Netrostoma species were only recorded in the island waters of the eastern and southern Peninsular Malaysia. Nine species were identified as threats to the fishing industry, marine aquaculture, power plant operation, coastal tourism or human health, while eight species are providing economic benefits to the jellyfish fishery and aquarium trade.

Emerging jellyfish fisheries along Central South East coast of India

A study was attempted to describe commercial jellyfish fisheries and to evaluate the economic performance of harvesting jellyfish by coastal fisher folk in Andhra Pradesh, India during 2017–19. The study revealed that only single species of rhizostomatid jellyfish, Crambionella annandalei supports the active jellyfish fishery. The fishing season was found to be during March to July. The total quantities of this edible jellyfish caught by motorized crafts were estimated to 55,181 tonnes along the coast of Andhra Pradesh during 2017–19. The highest catch was in 2018, wherein 33,273 tonnes were landed. The estimated value of oral arms of jellyfish at landing centre level was highest at Rs. 4013 lakhs ($5.65 Million) in 2018 whereas, the lowest estimated value was Rs. 20 lakhs ($0.02 Million) in 2019. The average operating cost per trip of the single day motorized crafts engaged in fishing jellyfishes worked out to be Rs. 3527($49.70), and with a catch rate estimated at 191 kg/trip, the gross revenue earned from each fishing trip was Rs. 6271($88.37). Net operating income was Rs. 2744($38.67) per trip with a capital productivity of 0.62. The labour productivity estimated was 30.06 kg per trip. Though, jellyfish fisheries have resulted in substantial economic benefits to fishermen, the processors and thus the local economy, it could adversely impact the jellyfish populations of the area. Processed oral arms of the jellyfish have good demand and are exported to South-East Asian countries mostly China. The detailed procedures involved in processing of jellyfish are also discussed in this paper.

Association of the whale shark Rhincodon typus with the cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris

This study describes the first record of the whale shark Rhincodon typus association with the cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Whale sharks were observed swimming and feeding among swarms of jellyfish, suggesting competition and predatory behaviour given the overlap in food preferences between both species. This finding is relevant because of the species-wide distribution and the importance of these interactions, which should be considered in conservation strategies of R. typus and management of cannonball jellyfish fisheries.

'Like scooping money out of the sea': Chinese luxury seafood consumption, roving bandits, and the boom-and-bust jellyfish fishery on the Miskitu Coast of Nicaragua

'Like scooping money out of the sea': Chinese luxury seafood consumption, roving bandits, and the boom-and-bust jellyfish fishery on the Miskitu Coast of Nicaragua

Jellyfish fisheries in the Americas: origin, state of the art, and perspectives on new fishing grounds

Jellyfish (primarily scyphomedusae) fisheries have a long history in Asia, where jellyfish have been caught and processed as food for centuries. More recently, jellyfish fisheries have expanded to the Western Hemisphere, often driven by demand from Asian buyers and collapses of more traditional local fish stocks. Jellyfish fisheries have been attempted in numerous countries in North, Central, and South America, with varying degrees of success. Here, we chronicle the arrival of jellyfish fisheries in the Americas and summarize relevant information on jellyfish fishing, processing, and management. Processing technology for edible jellyfish has not advanced, and presents major concerns for environmental and human health. The development of alternative processing technologies would help to eliminate these concerns and may open up new opportunities for markets and species. We also examine the biodiversity of jellyfish species that are targeted for fisheries in the Americas. Establishment of new jellyfish fisheries appears possible, but requires a specific combination of factors including high abundances of particular species, processing knowledge dictated by the target market, and either inexpensive labor or industrialized processing facilities. More often than not, these factors are not altogether evaluated prior to attempting a new jellyfish fishery. As such, jellyfish fisheries are currently expanding much more rapidly than research on the subject, thereby putting ecosystems and stakeholders’ livelihoods at risk.

Study on the carry capacity of edible jellyfish fishery in Liaodong Bay

Jellyfish fishing is a special type of fishery that mainly exists in some countries of East and Southeast Asia. China has the largest jellyfish fishery yield in the world with an annual harvest of around 300 thousand tons. Liaodong Bay is the most important jellyfish fishery ground in China. However, due to the high benefits of jellyfish fishery, which leads to illegal and out-of-season jellyfish fishing occurring each year in Liaodong Bay. Illegal jellyfish fishery in Liaodong Bay is a typical example of the tragedy of the commons. The key problem is that fishermen seek to an illegally initiate jellyfish fishing as early as possible. In this paper, basing on the data of edible jellyfish’s biology and ecology, we mainly analyzed the history of jellyfish fishery in China, especially in Liaodong bay, and then we calculated the carry capacity of edible jellyfish in Liaodong Bay which is about 300 thousand tons one year. This number is equal to the recent annual yield of edible jellyfish in China. Furthermore, basing on the carry capacity and reasonable quotas price analysis, we set up a Jellyfish fishing quotas and deficit quotas buyback system which could be a suitable and effective solution for jellyfish fishery management and development in Liaodong Bay at the underlying roots. Although China is the first country with edible jellyfish aquaculture, the annual yield of jellyfish aquaculture is only one fifth of jellyfish fishing. So, there is a very bright developing prospect about edible jellyfish aquaculture in China.

Jellyfish fishery in Pakistan

Jellyfish fishery in Pakistan

Characterization of Bycatch in the Cannonball Jellyfish Fishery in the Coastal Waters off Georgia

AbstractStudies have been conducted in Georgia to examine bycatch in many fisheries, but none has focused on the trawl fishery for cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris. Although this fishery is relatively new, it presently ranks in the top three by weight (kg) in Georgia, along with the food shrimp and blue crab Callinectes sapidus fisheries. The purpose of this study was to characterize and quantify the finfish and invertebrate bycatch species in the cannonball jellyfish trawl fishery in Georgia. Between December 2005 and December 2012, observers accompanied commercial fishers utilizing trawl gear to target cannonball jellyfish in the coastal waters off Georgia; a total of 133 tows were sampled. Observed tow duration ranged from 0.15 to 1.22 h, averaging 0.55 h/tow. During the study period, 1,488 finfish and 150 invertebrates were collected, and 13 individuals representing four species of concern were present in the bycatch. The most numerous species were the Harvestfish Peprilus paru (n = 677), Cownose Ray Rhinoptera bonasus (n = 185), Atlantic Bumper Chloroscombrus chrysurus (n = 179), Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus (n = 175), and blue crab (n = 114). The estimated numbers of captured cannonball jellyfish and bycatch varied monthly and yielded an overall cannonball jellyfish : bycatch ratio of 291:1. Results suggest that bycatch in the cannonball jellyfish fishery is nominal in comparison with other Georgia trawl fisheries (e.g., shrimp trawl fishery) and is dominated by a few species that are known to associate with jellyfish. Information gained in the present study provides fishery managers with the knowledge necessary to better understand the impacts of Georgia's commercial cannonball jellyfish trawl fishery on other species.Received September 3, 2014; accepted March 10, 2015

The jellyfish fishery in Mexico

Jellyfish has been captured in Asia for 1700 years, and it has been considered a delicacy. Since the 70s important jellyfish fisheries have developed in several parts of the world, with catches increasing exponentially, reaching 500,000 tons per year in the mid-nineties. In Mexico, only the cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris is captured commercially. Most of the capture of this jellyfish species is obtained within the Gulf of California, specifically in the state of Sonora. The total reported capture in 2010 was 16,581 metric t and 14,220 in 2011. With these capture volumes jellyfish was ranked as the third most important fishing resource in the state of Sonora. The fishing season in Sonora is from April to May; a total of 4 or 5 weeks, and the catch per unit effort is around 3 tons by trip. Currently, there are nine jellyfish marketing companies, with about 20 processing plants distributed along the coast of Sonora, primarily in Guaymas, Kino Bay, and Puerto Penasco. Although the process is simple, the large amounts of jellyfish required and the need to optimize production costs make jellyfish processing an intense activity that employs hundreds of people during the fishing season, becoming an alternative employment for the people who depend on the fishing industry.

Variation in soft tissue chemistry among scyphozoan and cubozoan jellyfishes from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Bioaccumulation of trace elements in jellyfish has so far received little attention, despite their being prey for many animals from multiple trophic levels and targeted by commercial jellyfish fisheries. Scyphozoan and cubozoan jellyfish were collected over a three year period from across-shelf and along the northern and central Great Barrier Reef, Australia. To test the hypotheses that jellyfishes were able to accumulate elements above ambient background levels, and if there were spatial or temporal variations among species, soft tissue concentrations of 14 trace elements were compared with ambient seawater concentrations. Most elements, including aluminium, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc were measured at concentrations above ambient seawater levels indicating bioaccumulative capacity. Results showed some regulation of lithium in Cassiopea sp., Cyanea sp. and Mastigias sp., while calcium, magnesium and strontium reflected ambient conditions for all species. Accumulation varied significantly among species and sampling locations. For Mastigias sp. and Netrostoma sp., tissue concentrations of Al, As, Cu, Fe and Zn decreased with distance from the mainland. The hypothesis that jellyfishes are capable of accumulating trace elements was accepted, and their use as biomonitors should be investigated further.

Synopsis of edible jellyfishes collected from Southeast Asia, with notes on jellyfish fisheries

Based on sampling of specimens and field observations on jellyfish fisheries in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar, six trade types of edible jellyfish were identified and the proper scientific names were applied to them with synopses of their taxonomy. An identification key for the Suborder Daktyliophorae, allowing identification of edible species, is provided. Jellyfish fishing activities at various locations in Southeast Asia are reported.