Jelly blubber boom has scientists rethinking 'weird' species as food, cosmetics 🍲 💄| ABC Australia

Jelly blubbers are overwhelming the Hawkesbury River and some say harvesting them for sale as a delicacy may be the solution.

Dane Van Der Neut has been a commercial fisherman on the New South Wales Hawkesbury River for almost two decades.

During his time on the water, there have been plenty of Catostylus mosaicus, commonly known as jelly blubber.

But a persistent "boom" of the species has made fishing for their preferred harvest of prawns and squid almost impossible.

"The blubber just overwhelms us, and it's too heavy for our gear to lift, so we just have to pull the cord and let the whole catch out."

Kylie Pitt, a professor of environment and science at Griffith University, is the lead investigator of a study seeking to understanding the drivers of jellyfish blooms in the Hawkesbury Estuary.

Dr Pitt said a potential solution could be to develop jelly blubber fisheries, as many cultures ate the species as a delicacy. Melbourne-based Asian food grocer Sokim Lay agrees.

Ms Lay founded Asian Pantry, that sells jellyfish products in preserved snack forms.

She said jellyfish could be an untapped market in Australia.

"There are many Asian communities here in Australia that embrace jellyfish in their foods," she said.

"For example, a lot of Japanese food incorporates [jellyfish] in sushi or noodle dishes."

📽 Video produced by Shauna Foley and edited by Anthony Scully

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