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Q. While fishing in Bogue Sound near Atlantic Beach this summer, I saw some jellyfish I had never seen before. They were about the size of a large saucer, kind of clear-colored, and had spots. Any idea what they were?

A. From your description, we can be pretty sure it was the Australian spotted jellyfish, Phyllorhiza punctata, a fairly new jellyfish to our waters. Sightings of these jellies, primarily in the sounds, began coming in last summer.

The jelly’s white, semi-transparent to opaque bell is solid with white spots, and its frilly oral arms, or tentacles, extend beneath the bell. They range from the size of a fist to that of a basketball. This jelly, having little if any sting, appears to be harmless to humans.

Considered an invasive species, a few of these jellyfish were seen in our waters in summer 2006, but sightings increased noticeably last summer.

In 2000, the Australian jelly began causing problems in Louisiana, when its numbers increased in the Gulf of Mexico and began fouling fishing gear and boat propellers. Although not harmful to humans, the jelly eats large amounts of fish larvae and eggs, and seems to be thriving in Atlantic and Gulf waters.

Dr. Monty Graham of Alabama’s Dauphin Island Sea Lab has been researching the invasive jellies, trying to determine their origin and the pathways of their introduction.

This species is particularly interesting because as an “invasive” species it is not native to our region. In fact, the Australian jelly is from a family that’s not even native to the Atlantic Basin. Should we be concerned?

Like many other non-native species, the jelly may potentially create ecological problems. However, we know very little about jellyfish as natural members of coastal ecosystems. This makes it difficult to develop a strategy to eliminate any species, especially when very basic information about its biology is not known. The jury will be out for a while yet on the Australian spotted jellyfish.

Information provided by the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The state operates three public aquariums; one in Pine Knoll Shores, another at Fort Fisher and a third on Roanoke Island. The aquariums are administered by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and are designed to inspire appreciation and conservation of North Carolina’s aquatic environment. For more information about the Aquariums, log onto www.ncaquariums.com, or call 800-832-FISH.