Led by light – Celestial seas at Walpole Bay

The captivating ascent of a moon jellyfish as it gracefully rises towards the ocean’s surface. This upward journey is driven by the jellyfish’s unique biology responses to environmental cues. Moon jellies ascend during the day to follow the vertical migration of zooplankton. This upward movement can be influenced by the diurnal cycles of light, which guide the creatures in synchronising their position in the water to maximise feeding efficiency and exposure to light, crucial for the photosynthetic organisms they often host within their tissues. This serene scene at Walpole Bay elegantly illustrates the delicate balance of marine life, driven by the unseen forces of biology and ecology, guided by the celestial light above.