Launched in 2024, the COLMED project is set to turn jellyfish discarded on Spanish Mediterranean coasts into a valuable Mediterranean resource.
Historically, discarded jellyfish were an unpleasant distraction for fishermen, local holidaymakers, and tourists. But researchers set out to turn this marine “problem” into an innovative, sustainable, and profitable solution. This problem inspired the Catholic University of Valencia to launch the COLMED project.
The project collects jellyfish discarded on the coast with three main goals:
- To diversify the incomes of artisanal fishers through jellyfish harvesting;
- To create a local processing network for collagen production
- To raise awareness of jellyfish’s ecological and biotechnological value.
Jellyfish species such as Rhizostoma pulmo and Cotylorhiza tuberculata are rich in collagen, a protein vital for skin, joints, and connective tissues. Therefore, jellyfish have the potential to provide a sustainable and ethical alternative to animal collagen.
COLMED promotes the circular economy model by involving local communities and research institutions throughout Catalonia and the Valencian Community. It is changing the way society views these marine animals. The aim is to see jellyfish not as pests but as marine animals with advantages for biotechnology.
Although COLMED focuses on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, its model could be replicated in other regions where jellyfish also pose a challenge. This example shows how science and collaboration can solve today’s ecological challenges and bring ambitious visions to life by learning more about our nature.
