University calls for ‘urgent and costly’ research into jellyfish threat to postmen
Marine biologists alarmed at the recent increases in ‘blooms’ or swarms of jellyfish are demanding funding to investigate their effect on postmen.
‘Jellyfish numbers have increased dramatically in recent years,’ said Jim Rhodes, a marine biology researcher at Bristol University, ‘but no-one is quite sure of the ramifications for Britain’s struggling postal service. It’s important we get to the bottom of this.’
Biologists need funding to charter a yacht and a mini-submarine capable of launching replica postmen into crystal-clear azure blue seas. The team have approached the Natural Environment Research Council seeking a grant of £350,000 and some vouchers for suncream.
Early findings from preliminary research conducted in the UK suggest that chasing a postman down a garden path with a jellyfish can vastly increase his stress levels and prompt a tendency towards bad language.
waylandsmithy (hat-tip to Al O’Pecia)
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Posted: Jul 5th, 2011 by waylandsmithy
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