Jellyfish warning as sea swimmers feel the sting

The Health Department has issued a formal warning to Islanders and visitors after a number of swimmers were stung recently at Bouley Bay.

Large numbers of jellyfish have been spotted off the south-west of England and in waters off northern France.

Stewart Petrie, head of the Environmental Health Department, said it was likely that the creatures were nettlefish.

He said: ‘If you get lots of stings, it can be quite debilitating.

‘These creatures are being seen all the way along the coast of Devon and as far up as Blackpool.

‘In Jersey it appears to be the north coast that is being affected.

  • The nettlefish is also known as sea nettle
  • They catch food by stunning small creatures with their stinging tentacles
  • Humans can sustain a painful rash if they come into contact with nettlefish, but it is not likely to be lethal
  • Each nettlefish tentacle is coated with thousands of coiled stinging filaments which ‘fire’ into their prey on contact
  • They are able to consume minnows, anchovy eggs, worms and mosquito larvae

‘We’ve had no reports of them on the west or south coasts.

‘That’s not to say they’re not there, just that we’ve had no reports.’

Mr Petrie added that the department was not advising people to stay out of the sea, but rather to take care and be aware that there could be large numbers of jellyfish in the area.

‘Parents should keep an eye on children who are not confident swimmers and who may be alarmed if they are stung,’ he added.

‘Young children who see a jellyfish on the shoreline should be told not to touch any part of it.

‘Both the body and tentacles are capable of delivering stings, and dead jellyfish can still sting.

‘Dog walkers should also be aware.’

One female swimmer who was stung at Bouley Bay yesterday said: ‘There were hundreds of them .

‘I was stung but it wasn’t too bad, but a friend was stung the day before and she had a nasty red mark on her leg.’

If you are stung, it is recommended that you get out of the water and slowly pour seawater over the sting to ease the pain before applying ice wrapped in cloth to the affected area.

Dr Nick Payne, a consultant at the Accident and Emergency Department, said: ‘Many people believe that urine or vinegar should be used, but, this is not the case.

‘These may discharge the nematocysts – the cause of the sting – and potentially cause further stings.’

Stewart Petrie: 'Parents should keep an eye on children who are not confident swimmers'

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