As jellyfish become an increasing nuisance along coastlines, the Meduseo app emerges as a vital tool for beachgoers and sailors. Developed by imaging research engineer Jérémy Deverdun, Meduseo offers a free, real-time solution to dodge encounters with these gelatinous marine creatures.
Launched in 2019, Meduseo provides a participatory map that allows users to check jellyfish activity at their chosen beaches before they head out. The app, available on Android, features a color-coded system: yellow dots signal minimal jellyfish presence, orange indicates a moderate number, and red warns of a high concentration. Additionally, it provides estimates on how long jellyfish blooms might persist, taking into account factors like wind and current.
The app’s functionality extends beyond just checking jellyfish levels. Users can contribute their own observations, recording details such as the location, date, time, and species of jellyfish encountered. This crowd-sourced data helps paint a clearer picture of jellyfish patterns and movements.
In July of the previous year alone, Meduseo logged over 6,000 reports. The data revealed that Bonifacio in Corsica experienced the highest frequency of jellyfish encounters, with 18 days of reported sightings. Other notable areas included Ajaccio, Cargèse, and several Riviera towns such as Saint-Raphaël and Cavalaire-sur-Mer, each with ten days of recorded jellyfish activity.
Beyond French shores, Meduseo is expanding its reach. It is now available in Portugal, Italy, the UK, Morocco, the USA, and Australia, with plans to launch in Japan and Africa soon. As jellyfish continue to invade popular beach destinations, Meduseo proves to be an indispensable companion for anyone looking to enjoy a sting-free summer.