Mysterious, nearly transparent gelatinous spheres—some as large as a meter in diameter—have been spotted drifting beneath the surface along the coasts of Norway and Sweden, puzzling both divers and scientists.
Unusual sightings in Scandinavian waters
In recent years, multiple sightings have been reported, particularly during the summer months. Seven of these strange “jelly balls” have been observed along the Norwegian coastline, with an additional two sightings along Sweden’s west coast.
The phenomenon is not entirely new. The first recorded sighting dates back to 2002. A particularly notable encounter occurred in 2006, when Norwegian diver Erling Svensen discovered one of the spheres in Matrefjord near Rosendal. He described it as resembling a large, firm yet soft balloon—almost fluffy in texture—hovering in the water at a depth of around 20 meters.
What could they be?
Despite growing attention, scientists have yet to determine exactly what these gelatinous structures are. Their size, appearance, and consistency have sparked a range of hypotheses.
One leading theory is that they may be egg masses from marine animals. Some researchers have suggested a connection to squid, possibly even large deep-sea species. However, this explanation remains uncertain. Known squid species typically produce much smaller egg clusters, making it unclear whether these massive spheres could belong to any known species.
Other possibilities include unknown or poorly documented marine organisms, or even unusual biological phenomena linked to environmental conditions. Without direct sampling, however, these ideas remain speculative.
A challenge for marine science
Part of the mystery lies in how rarely these objects are observed. Although several sightings have been recorded, they are still uncommon, and their appearance may be influenced by seasonal patterns or simply by increased diving activity in Scandinavian waters during summer.
Because the spheres are fragile and often encountered underwater, collecting samples has proven difficult. Yet this is precisely what scientists need to identify them conclusively.
Call for public help
Researchers, including those at the Institute of Marine Research, are now asking for assistance from the public—especially divers. Anyone who encounters one of these jelly-like spheres is encouraged to report the sighting and, if possible, help obtain a sample.
A DNA analysis would be particularly valuable, as it could quickly reveal whether the structures belong to a known species or represent something entirely new.
Until such evidence is gathered, these strange floating spheres remain one of the more intriguing unsolved mysteries of the Scandinavian seas.