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AN INVASION OF bluebottle jellyfish in Queensland, Australia, has seen a record number of swimmers stung by the sea creatures, resulting in the closure of a number of beaches.
The bluebottles washed up on the shores of Australia’s Gold and Sunshine coasts in huge numbers according to local media, with around 13,000 stings recorded in the past week.
“A whopping 3,595 people were stung by bluebottles over the weekend,” Surf Life Saving Queensland tweeted.
Due to the northeasterly winds, we will continue to see bluebottles hanging around.
At least four major beaches remained closed as the organisation warned that even more jellyfish were on their way as unusually strong winds push the jellyfish to the shore.
“A wall of bluebottles is approaching Rainbow beach. Lifesavers are closing the beach. Please stay out of the water,” Surf Life Saving Queensland said.
7 News Brisbane / TwitterThousands have been treated for bluebottle stings across the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast over the last few weeks. @lifesavingqld advises beachgoers to look out for warning signs and speak with lifeguards before entering the water. #7News pic.twitter.com/VdJTXAZkuN
— 7NEWS Queensland (@7NewsBrisbane) January 7, 2019
While the presence of the bluebottle is not uncommon on Queensland beaches, the high number of people stung in the last few days has shocked authorities as there are usually around 10,000 cases of bluebottle stings on the east coast of Australia each year.
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the bluebottle (Physalia utriculus ) is not a true jellyfish, but a colony of individual organisms.
It is often confused with its larger more venomous cousin the Portuguese Man o’ War (Physalia physalis) which is mostly found in the Atlantic ocean.
A sting from a bluebottle causes an immediate sharp pain and slight inflammatory skin reaction. The intense pain from the sting can last for several hours and can be followed by a dull ache involving the joints.
Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin, an expert from Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Services, told ABC News that a bluebottle’s crest acts like a sail and they get pushed along by strong winds.
“They get picked up by the wind and blown as long as the wind keeps going or until they hit land and strand on the beaches, so that’s when we see them obviously,” Dr Gershwin said.
Some of the bluebottle sails are right-handed and some are left-handed, across the body, so when the wind comes up it only grabs the ones with the sail going the right way for that particular breeze.
“It’s nature’s way of making sure the population never becomes extinct.”
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whether religious or not it’s some great walk.
Well done Spain, good tourism marketing, wonder is there a similar exercise we could undertake for the ould Sod.
Could be a massive pub crawl around Dublin called the ComeIno Walk. When completed the compestelo will be a pint of Guinness at St. James’ Gate! Followed by a high mass gathering at the Temple Bar Centre for Advanced Alcoholics!!!!
We have it ! The WILD ATLANTIC WAY. And it’s a brilliant tourist marketing initiative . Well done Ireland Inc !
I did the first 200k of the French way last year. Have to say it was one of the best experiences ive had. I’m going back to finish it in August, I can’t wait. I’m trying to raise money for the Louth community drug and alcohol team for anyone that would like to sponsor me (ive no shame in begging) I know some people on here have attitudes to people with addictions but for those that don’t and would like to sponsor the charity here’s the link http://www.idonate.ie/mobile/fundraiser/65712_paddy-fagan-s-fundraising-page.html
What’s the best way to go about it solo?
@Malvolio heres great guide books that will tell you all you need to know. I met lots of people who had the same ones along the way. http://www.amazon.com/John-Brierley/e/B0034NMO4A
I was in Santiago last year. Really nice town, very relaxed. Great food, cheap beer and lovely hotel. I would highly recommend it for a weekend away if you are looking for something different. You can always pretend you just finished the camino!
Walking is good for the body, mind and soul but not doing it on the 12th July lol.
Have walked a stretch of it each year since 2011. It’s a great part of Spain. The French Way is getting a little crowded of late, especially during the summer months. Having said that, I always find an excuse to go back :)
have your say