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Marine Stingers
Box Jellyfish
Where: Along the coastal waters of Queensland and northern Australia
When: Summer (November-April)
Description: A sting from their long tentacles can be deadly.
Prevention: Swimming along the beaches north of Rockhampton during summer is prohibited. Avoid walking barefoot along the water's edge at this time.

 

Marine stingers are commonly known as box jellyfish and they are found in the shallow waters north of the town of Seventeen Seventy. They are more numerous after local rain, especially near river and creek outlets and are usually absent when seas are rough. Marine stingers are not usually found over coral, in deep water, or around extensive seagrass or weed beds.

Although especially active in inshore tropic waters from October to May, they may be present at any time of year. The affected area is the northerly coasts from about Gladstone in Queensland to Broome in Western Australia.

Somehow, far less folklore has spread about Australian stingers than about sharks, snakes or even spiders. Yet the jellyfish is a Very Dangerous Creature and treatment must be immediate in the event of a sting. 

Hopefully, you will never even get close to a marine stinger. Surf lifesavers may warn you off infested beaches - make sure you obey their instructions. And some areas offer stinger-resistant enclosures - use them. It may be worth investing in the protection of a lycra suit if you intend to spend a lot of time on tropical beaches. But at the very least, be aware of the risks and how to reduce them.

Note: Stings predominantly occur in shallow water, so take care when launching a boat or paddling on the beach.

    Emergency Treatment in case someone is stung:

  • Pour generous quantities of ordinary household VINEGAR over the affected areas of skin. Do not pull the tentacles off.

    Vinegar kills the stinging cells of the jellyfish, which is why swimmers are encouraged to bring 4 litres of the stuff with them to the beach, as well as broad conforming or crepe bandages. Flood the stung area (you should see the whip-like tentacle marks) with domestic vinegar for half a minute to render the stings harmless.

    If there is no vinegar handy, you can help the victim by picking off any clinging tentacles with tweezers or your fingers - but don't get stung yourself.

  • Lie the victim down on their back with their head lower than their body.

  • Call for trained medical assistance. Stay with the victim.

  • If the victim stops breathing commence mouth to mouth resuscitation.


Stinger Seasons in Queensland
Marine stingers may be present in waters during the following periods:
Late October to June - Cairns
December to March - Rockhampton
The far northern beaches have longer stinger seasons.

Stinger Nets in Queensland
There are stinger nets at the following beaches:
Port Douglas : Four Mile Beach (net removed in rough weather)
Cairns : Yorkey’s Knob, Trinity Beach, Palm Cove, Ellis Beach.
Townsville : Rowes Bay, The Strand, Picnic Bay (Magnetic Island )
Whitsunday : Cannonvale Beach (enclosed tidal pool)
Mackay : Seaforth Beach, Bucasia Beach, Halliday Bay, Mackay Harbour
Rockhampton : No stinger nets, stingers are in smaller numbers between here and the town of Seventeen Seventy.
   

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