The exotic jellyfish Blackfordia virginica introduced into the Netherlands (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

In August 2014 the exotic jellyfish Blackfordia virginica was captured in the harbour of Amsterdam. This is the first confirmed record of this species in the Netherlands, although in October 2013 a possible specimen was filmed and released. This indicates that the species might be established in the Amsterdam area, although repeated introduction with ballast water cannot be ruled out. In September 2014 hydrozoan polyp colonies closely resembling those of B. virginica were collected near IJmuiden in the Noordzeekanaal, a canal connecting Amsterdam with the North Sea at IJmuiden.