Cockroaches of the Sea

As they swarm across the Roman Lake and clog its beaches so, too, those "cockroaches of the sea" have been a big nuisance this year in the little corner of the Gulf of Mexico we call Pensacola Beach. Now we know why:

The explosion of jellyfish populations, scientists say, reflects a combination of severe overfishing of natural predators, like tuna, sharks and swordfish; rising sea temperatures caused in part by global warming; and pollution that has depleted oxygen levels in coastal shallows.

Drilling for oil will really help the situation, won't it? Kind of like leaving the pantry contents spread all over the kitchen counter to make it easier for the bugs. It's an invitation to disaster.