Beefy, end-of-season stingers on the Strand

09.03.2010

T O W N S V I L L E' S
beachgoers have come
within metres of two of the
largest box jellyfish to invade
North Queensland.
Surf Lifesaving Queensland
regional manager
Peter Roulston said it was
this time of year when we
could expect to see the
larger, deadlier stingers on
Townsville beaches.
The weekend haul of the
sea creatures was a reminder
that people need to
remain vigilant in the closing
stages of the stinger season.
"One (of the jellyfish) was
28cm, the other was 30cm,"
Mr Roulston said.
`They grow up to about
30cm.
"The end of the season is
in April/May so it's good
that they are that size and
not smaller at this stage of
the season ... if they were
smaller it would mean the
season was going to stretch
on for longer."
The first jellyfish was
found near the Rockpool.
The second was near the
Strand waterpark, not far
from where the Queensland
Dragon Boat Federation
held a come and try' day.
The Townsville Sailing
Day held a similar event
from the same location near
the Tobruk Pool causing a
busy turn out at a normally
quieter part of the Strand,
and at a location away from
the protective stinger nets.
Dragon's Abreast Club coordinator
Cheryl Oats said
it was very busy with a lot of
activity but that they had
not been concerned about
stingers.
"We don't routinely capsize
but the most usual time
we do is after a regatta when
people are celebrating," Ms
Oates.
"And in the rougher
weather."
Ms Oats said the participants
had been warned to
wear stinger suits because
there was the possibility of
people new to the sport
flicking the stingers up with
the paddles.
"Generally their technique
is not as good when
they are learning," she said.
Mr Roulston said the lifesavers
regularly dragged
within 50m of the stinger
nets, but also randomly
along the whole Strand to
ensure the beaches were
safe.
"People need to continue
to swim between the nets
and wear protective clothing,"
he said.
Townsville City Council
Community Safety and
Health Committee chairman
Cr Dale Last said people
needed to ensure they
stayed between the nets to
look after their own safety.
If they don't they are
basically putting their lives
at risk especially with a
stinger of that size (those
found on the weekend)," he
said.
`I've heard the pain described
as off the planet and
you can get scarring for life.
"I wouldn't be putting my
big toe in the water outside
the net at this time of year."
Mr Roulston said the
weekend drag followed the
unusual stinger onslaught
at beaches further south.
While Townsville has had
a relatively tame stinger
season with no major drags,
Sarina had a two week
period of large hauls.
The normally safer southern
beach, pulled in drags
with stinger numbers
reaching between 26 and 30
over a two week period and
caused the beaches to close.
"They are water animals
and can go where ever there
is water," Mr Roulston said.