Popular Aussie beach closed after dangerous find in water
A local photographer and avid diver was headed to Alma Bay for a swim when she spotted the big red flags.
A Queensland tourist hotspot was forced to close a popular beach this week after an extremely venomous creature was pulled out of the water.
Kaspa Blewett headed down to Alma Bay on Magnetic Island, off the coast of Townsville, on Wednesday “to have a snorkel” but immediately saw “the big red flag was out”.
The photographer – who lives on the island and documents its ocean wildlife with her partner, marine biologist Lawrence Scheele, and his brother Oliver – told Yahoo News Australia she approached the lifeguards on duty to find out what was going on — and what they revealed got the avid diver very excited.
A photo of the discovery shows a “quite small” Carukia barnesi, the most common species of Irukandji jellyfish, floating inside a small jar. Ms Blewett said the lifeguards found one of the country’s deadliest creatures — and three other small non-venomous jellyfish — while dragging nets across the 150m bay in the morning.
“We spend a lot of time in the water and we’re currently writing a book so for us, finding and photographing Irukandji species is super important as we need them to help raise awareness of these species,” she said. The trio took to their Facebook page — Magnetic Island’s Underwater World — to alert others the beach, which has a reputation among locals for being ‘stinger-free’ despite frequent sightings and signage, was closed for swimming.
“Alma closed again…sigh. The jellies get the beach today. To be honest I think they are so cute!” the 27-year-old wrote. But not everyone agreed, with some locals saying they had gone for a dip just hours before the danger was raised. “We were so lucky,” one woman commented. “Won’t be swimming in the ocean again,” another added.
However, numerous others assured visitors that jellyfish are more prevalent in North Queensland from November to May and swimmers can protect themselves by wearing a stinger suit.
“Very cool! They’re always there regardless if they catch them in their tows so should always wear a stinger suit because the sting is a world of hurt! Looks like Carukia barnesi which you definitely don’t want to be stung by,” Scott Morrissey, a PHD candidate and researcher at James Cook University, said.
Irukandji species currently under study
Ms Blewett said beach closures are typically 24 hours, but according to Surf Life Saving Queensland’s website, Alma Bay remained restricted to the public on Thursday.
The Carukia barnesi species can vary from 1-2cm and “is the first discovered off what appears to be a group of Carybdeid sea jellies whose sting causes what is now called Irukandji Syndrome,” according to the Australian Museum.
“Transparent, small and usually not observed, the Irukandji is unusual as its bell also features stinging capsules. Not much is known about this species as it is currently under study.”
If someone is stung by an Irukandji they are encouraged to seek medical attention as soon as possible, remain calm, not rub the stung area and apply a cold pack to reduce pain.
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Swimmers should 'be mindful'
Ms Blewett, who wears a wetsuit, flipper booties and a balaclava while diving in the summer months, said she heard of a woman who was stung by an Irukandji at another bay on the island over the weekend.
“She was stung on her toe but has made a full recovery. She said it was a shock and not something she wants to experience again,” the 27-year-old said. While Irukandji expert Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin has previously said the chances of being stung are very rare — with 50 to 100 people a year hospitalised in North Queensland from stings — Ms Blewett urges people to “be mindful” and have respect for the ocean and its inhabitants.
“Wear a suit and cover up as much as possible. There are a lot of things in the ocean that we might not necessarily see so we might not be 100 per cent protected,” she said, adding that if you are standing on a beach and the wind is blowing on your face, there is a higher chance jellyfish are present. “It shouldn’t deter people.”
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