Since 2005, off the coast of Nomura, Japan, there has been an invasion of giant jellyfish.  These giant jellyfish grow 6.5 feet (2 meters) wide and weigh up to 450 pounds (220 kilograms). I am just amazed and how big they get, almost the same size as the diver pictured here.

Photo from National Geographic

These jellyfish are commonly found in Chinese and Korean waters, but having them show up in Japanese waters became a threat to the local fishing industry. Fishermen say the jellyfish are choking fishing nets and poisoning the catch with their toxic stingers.

As scientist try to come up with theories to why this is happening in their waters, the local communities are coming up with resourceful ways to turn their unwanted catch into candy, cookies, crab food, and fertilizer.

These jellyfish cookies were made my students at Obama Fisheries High School in Obama, Japan. Cookies are sold in boxes of 10. They are called “Ekura-chan saku-saku cookies”. Made with jellyfish powder. Photo from Pink Tentacle

Photo from Fast Company

The students have also successfully come up with the idea and process of developing a sweet and salty caramel. It is made of sugar, starch syrup, and jellyfish powder. The jellyfish powder is made by boiling jellyfish into a paste and then grinding it into tiny particles.

I would eat both the  jellyfish cookies and caramel.  Maybe jellyfish apple on a stick (caramel coated apple) could be another good snack idea. As I rather eat a more fruity dessert.