Wall color:
|
Pacific sea nettles play an important role in healthy coastal ecosystems. Under normal conditions they help maintain ecological balance by feeding on zooplankton, small fish, and even other jellyfish, preventing any one group from becoming overly abundant. They also provide food for marine species such as sea turtles and ocean sunfish and, after death, contribute nutrients to deep-sea ecosystems. When environmental conditions change, large jellyfish blooms can occur. Warmer ocean temperatures, overfishing, and increased nutrient runoff all favour jellyfish populations. Rather than being the problem themselves, Pacific sea nettles often serve as indicators of broader ecological imbalance. Through this painting, I hope to highlight both the beauty of these remarkable creatures and the complex role they play within the ocean’s interconnected web of life.
