Experts are concerned the severe El Nino weather system affecting Australia could worsen the stinger season.

Beaches across north Queensland will be dragged for irukandji and box jellyfish for the next few months with stinger season officially starting on Sunday.

Marine Stinger Advisory Services’s Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin said researchers were concerned the El Nino weather system would increase the season’s length and severity.

Certainly we’re very concerned about what this might mean in terms of jellyfish numbers and the length and severity of the season.
Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin, Marine Stinger Advisory Services

“What we do know about irukandji and box jellies, is that they really like warmer weather,” she said.

“It amps up their metabolism, they breed more, they eat more, they breed faster, they eat longer, they really like warmer weather.

“Certainly we’re very concerned about what this might mean in terms of jellyfish numbers and the length and severity of the season.”

Dr Gershwin said it made her sad to see people not going to the beach or enjoying a swim because of a fear of jellyfish.

“For people who do want to enjoy the beach I think it’s more a matter of being aware and following all the typical instructions, that we get to keep ourselves safe … swim at a patrolled beach, talk to the lifeguards, find out what’s been going on lately, have they had a lot of jellyfish,” she said.

“I think the lesson we need to take from this is scientists are looking at this, we will know more by the end of this season.”

Hannah Ridland from Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) said the box jellyfish was very life-threatening, however the effects of an irukandji sting took about 30 minutes to appear.

“Everyone reacts differently, but these two are the ones that we’re particularly interested in,” Ms Ridland said.

She said there were two messages SLSQ were trying to give to the public – swim between the red and yellow flags and wear protectice swimwear.

Source: ABC News