Jellyfish
Jellyfish or jellies are the major non-polyp form of individuals of the phylum Cnidaria. They are typified as free-swimming marine animals consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles. Jellyfish have drifted along on ocean currents for millions of years, even before dinosaurs lived on the Earth. Some jellyfish are clear, but others are in vibrant colors such as pink, yellow, blue, and purple, and often are luminescent. The Chinese have fished jellyfish for 1,700 years. They are considered a delicacy and are used in Chinese medicine. Jellyfish (also known as jellies and sea jellies) are boneless animals that float freely through the world's oceans. Although jellyfish exist in our oceans worldwide they are particularly prominent in coastal areas. There are thought to be around 2,000 different species of jellyfish, the most common being the big, colorful ones found in warmer coastal areas. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO, warned over-fishing in the Mediterranean was boosting jellyfish, which reduce stocks further and it called for jellyfish to be used in food, medicine and cosmetics. Jellyfish have powerful anti-aging properties that may benefit both the cosmetics and fishing industries.
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