How afraid should we be of jellyfish off UK shores?

How afraid should we be of Scotland's jellyfish?Image source, R.S. McLaren PhotographyImage caption, July and August are peak months for jellyfish sightings in ScotlandByClaire ThomsonBBC ScotlandPublished4 hours ago18 CommentsWhen scuba diver and underwater photographer Ross McLaren encountered a jellyfish for the first time, he said all he felt was "sheer terror". "I was diving in the Clyde and one of the instructors had to pull me out of the way of the tentacles as it was wafting above me," he said. McLaren ended up with a sting across his upper lip but said it did not stop him from wanting to dive.Many people are scared of jellyfish due to the fear of painful stings and the creature's unpredictable nature in the water.Image source, R.S. McLaren PhotographyImage caption, Scuba diver Ross McLaren has completed almost 600 dives since 2016But McLaren, who lives near the coast in North Ayrshire, believes there is more to the brainless, heartless and boneless invertebrates than people might think. "Jellyfish have such a bad reputation but they are one of the most mesmerising and beautiful creatures underwater," he said, having completed almost 600 dives.As we reach peak jellyfish season in Scotland, should we see them as a sight to behold or a reason to run?When do you see the most jellyfish in Scotland?July and August are peak months for jellyfish sightings in Scotland."The number and distribution of jellyfish are impacted by many different factors," said Anna Bunney of the Marine Conservation Society, which runs a nationwide survey of jellyfish."This includes sea temperatures, the availability of plankton for feeding, which peaks during the summer months when it is warmer, and ocean currents."Sea temperatures tend to lag behind air temperatures, Bunney says.The maximum air temperatures in Scotland usually occur in July and August, whereas sea temperatures are at the warmest in August and September.When the...