January 6th 2025.
Residents in Far North Queensland were given a glimpse into the underwater world of their local beaches when a video was shared by Lifesavers. The video revealed the surprisingly tiny size of the highly-venomous Irukandji jellyfish, leaving many people in awe. The footage was captured at the popular Palm Cove Beach, just north of Cairns, where an Irukandji jellyfish was spotted swimming over a $2 coin, giving viewers a sense of its size.
The post on the Australian Lifeguard Service's Instagram page in North Queensland read, "This is what we mean when we say Irukandji really are THAT small!" It was accompanied by the video, which quickly gained attention and sparked conversation among the community. Cairns senior lifeguard, Jon Murray, shared his own experience with the tiny jellyfish, stating that it is nearly impossible to spot them in the water, a fact that surprised many.
Murray explained that even in the lifeguard huts, where they have specimens in formaldehyde jars, people are still taken aback by the actual size of the Irukandji jellyfish. He also dispelled the misconception that stinger nets protect swimmers from these venomous creatures. These nets are specifically designed to prevent larger and more lethal jellyfish, such as the box jellyfish, from entering the swimming area. They do not, however, protect against Irukandji jellyfish.
Contrary to predictions made by researchers, this stinger season has not been quieter than previous years. Murray stated that they have already caught several Irukandji jellyfish, surprising the researchers. He emphasized the importance of swimming between the flags and inside the stinger net for safety. Murray also mentioned that it may not always be obvious if someone has been stung by an Irukandji jellyfish, as it can take up to 40 minutes for the symptoms to appear.
According to Murray, the first sign of an Irukandji sting is usually a sore lower back, which then spreads throughout the body as the toxins hit the lymph nodes. He likened the sensation to being repeatedly hit with a cricket bat. As soon as a swimmer reports a sore lower back, the beach is closed for safety precautions. For those planning to swim in the Douglas Shire, Cairns Regional Council, or Cassowary Coast regions, it is important to check for any beach closures due to the presence of jellyfish.
In conclusion, the video shared by Lifesavers in Far North Queensland not only highlighted the tiny size of the Irukandji jellyfish, but also served as a reminder for swimmers to be cautious and take necessary precautions when swimming in these waters. It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to potentially deadly creatures.
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