Increase in big jellyfish at Four Mile Beach a good sign for water health
MARINE STINGERS
Victoria Stone-Meadows
Marine stingers are as much as part of the tropical lifestyle as thongs, humidity, and the occasional flood.
However, there has been an increase in a particular type of jellyfish in the waters of Four Mile Beach in recent weeks as pristine waters allow it to thrive.
The native Cyanea, also called the Hair jelly, Snottie, and Lion’s Mane jellyfish, have been spotted in high numbers in the waters around Port Douglas and given a few nasty stings.
Jellyfish expert Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin, who recently spent a few weeks observing and studying jellyfish in the Far North, said it’s not unusual for jellyfish numbers to fluctuate year to year.
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She said it’s most likely the good condition of the waters here that have seen the species have a more populous bloom this year.
“As with any natural species, be it animal or plants they have natural variation in population year to year,” she said.
“It probably is, without having specific research on this particular locality this year so I can’t say definitely, that the Lions Mane has responded to the lack of pollution in the waters around the Great Barrier Reef and particularly in Port Douglas.”
Dr Gershwin said some jellyfish species experience blooms that last through summer and into the winter months, some continuing to bloom for up to 13 months.
“With this in mind, and knowing what I know, the increase in Lion’s Mane jellyfish is probably normal and natural variation but keep an eye on it,” she said.
The large jellyfish have long tentacles that can detach from the bell and cause a nasty sting but they are not considered a dangerous species.
Dr Gershwin said the Lion’s Mane isn’t as dangerous as some other stingers in the region but they should still be given space if encountered in the water.
“They are enough to look scary and they do sting but they are not one of the worst stingers around,” she said.
“They are nowhere near as bad as blue bottle which in turn not as bad as an Irukandji.
“The sting from a Lion’s Mane feels partly warm like a blanket or hot water and part stings sharply, but goes way in about half an hour.”
Four Mile Beach lifeguard, Connor O’Sullivan, said the jellyfish tentacles have been known to attach to the stinger net at the beach but swimmers need not be too worried about them.
“Their tentacles due tend to break off on the net when they drift through but they are not dangerous,” he said.
“If people swim between the flags, stay in the net, and follow the instructions of the lifeguards on the day, they will be fine.”