The Jellyfish Museum, located in Pompano Beach, Florida, is believed to be the first institution in the United States exclusively dedicated to the study and exhibition of jellyfish.
The museum, which opened this past spring, was founded by Alex and Yana Yanovsky, entrepreneurs who previously operated successful aquariums in Ukraine. Among their past ventures was a jellyfish museum in Kyiv, which they left behind when they fled Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion. This marks their first aquatic attraction since immigrating to the U.S.
"When they left Ukraine, they moved to Florida, and then they immediately wanted to share their passion here," said operations manager Jessica Eisenbarth. Yana Yanovsky conceived the museum idea after observing the popularity of jellyfish in their other aquariums.
Jellyfish are ancient creatures, predating dinosaurs and trees, with a history spanning over 500 million years. They are characterized by their translucent bodies, lacking a heart and brain, and are composed primarily of water. Their mesmerizing, pulsating movements and their role in marine ecosystems are key aspects of their appeal.
"Jellyfish are some of the most resilient creatures on Earth. While they lack a brain, they maintain a simple nerve net that allows them to respond to their environment," Yana Yanovsky stated. "Their movement is mesmerizing, almost meditative, and they play an important role in marine ecosystems."
Monty Graham, director of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, noted the growing popularity of jellyfish exhibits, crediting the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California for popularizing such displays. Monterey Bay Aquarium began temporary jellyfish exhibits in 1985 and opened a permanent gallery in 1996.
"Jellyfish are cool, they’re things that people don’t get to see up close unless they’re scuba diving," Graham said. "So here was this opportunity, in a controlled environment, very beautiful settings. It clicked all the buttons and checked all the boxes, and it was a very good, positive thing."
The nearly 10,000-square-foot museum features approximately 20 distinct jellyfish species, sourced from Florida waters and other global locations. These species are housed in 21 tanks and can be rotated. Current inhabitants include Japanese sea nettles, moon jellyfish, spotted jellies, and upside-down jellyfish, the latter being native to Florida's mangrove swamps. The jellyfish are obtained through licensed aquaculture partners.
The museum's design emphasizes calm and tranquility, according to general manager Iryna Pelypkanych. The space was converted from a former bank branch, with the city of Pompano Beach providing approximately $100,000 in community redevelopment grants. Museum guides educate visitors on the ecological importance of jellyfish and the necessity of their conservation. "The biggest idea here is to leave people with the feeling that they know something more about the population of jellyfish," Pelypkanych said. "Because so far, we know around 4,000 different species that can be called jellyfish."