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Amazing photo shows man's shocking discovery on NSW beach

A New South Wales man has snapped an incredible photo during his recent trip to the beach after he found thousands of bluebottles piled up on the shore.

Brett Wallensky found the bluebottles washed up on rocks south of Batemans Bay on the New South Wales south coast on Friday.

The beachgoer told The Canberra Times he had “never seen thousands of bluebottles in one spot before”.

Mr Wallensky (pictured) snapped this site on a New South Wales south coast beach. Source: Supplied
Mr Wallensky (pictured) snapped this site on a New South Wales south coast beach. Source: Supplied

But it’s likely not the last time beachgoers will see bluebottles on the coast this year.

According to the Australian Museum, bluebottles are “at the mercy of the wind” and if they are blown into shallow waters, can sometimes end up on the shore.

Although they are commonly considered to be jellyfish, bluebottles aren’t single-cell organism and are made up of members of a colony known as zooids.

Members of the colony have different roles – some specialise in stinging and capturing fish, others on reproduction.

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In Queensland earlier this year, jellyfish and bluebottle invasions turned Brisbane and Sunshine Coast beaches into what resembled “bubble wrap across the beach”.

It’s said the blanket of jellyfish happens once a year, but locals hadn’t seen it to this extent before.

How to treat bluebottle sting


  • Don’t rub the sting.

  • Pick off any remaining tentacles with fingers.

  • Rinse the area well with seawater to remove any remaining stinging cells then place under hot water you can comfortably tolerate.

  • If hot water doesn’t work use cold packs or ice.

  • If the symptoms continue or if you’ve been stung across the face or throat call Triple-0.

Source: Australian Museum

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