A LEADING marine stinger expert has urged residents in the Redlands to stay calm following media reports that tropical Irukandji are migrating south.
It comes after up to ten people were hospitalised in the past month following suspected stings by the jellyfish in protected waters west of Fraser Island – a distance more than 300 kilometres south of the its known range.
While some biologists have warned the tropical stingers were travelling down the coast as ocean temperatures rose, Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Services director Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin said it was all speculative.
“It is not based on evidence,” she said. “This type of migration takes a long time. I think it is terrifying people needlessly."
Ms Gershwin, who named and classified Moreton Bay’s own larger species of Irukandji nine years ago, said no research had been done to find out numbers of the tropical jellyfish present in Queensland waters, with its geographic area established by presentations of Irukandji syndrome.
Irukandji syndrome, which describes the symptoms experienced when stung by the jellyfish, can be imparted by more than 16 species of Irukandji, including Moreton Bay's own Morbakka fenneri, she said.
Ms Gershwin said the recent Irukandji syndrome presentations at the Fraser Coast was not evidence strong enough to support the migration theory without further information available.
“I don’t think it is a clear yes or no,” she said. “If it was a huge problem, there would be people getting Irukandji syndrome by the thousands.”
Ms Gershwin said it was possible the tropical stinger was already in Moreton Bay waters, with its toxins weakened by environmental factors – a scenario unable to be confirmed or denied until further studies were carried out.
"I think it is a matter of public safety and this is the time to research them," she said.
Moreton Bay's own Irukandji species, which is believed to be most abundant at Redcliffe, has been confirmed present in waters from Port Douglas in north Queensland to Sydney.
While its sting is believed to impart a milder form of Irujandji syndrome, a six-year-old boy suffered a life threatening reaction and was hospitalised, after he and his mother were stung by a Morbakka fenneri at Wellington Point in late 2014.
Temporary warning signs were erected at the time.
Less than 12 stings by the Morbakka fenneri occur each year in south-east Queensland, with Redland City Council not aware of any recent stings by the local species or reported sightings of its tropical cousin, a council spokesperson said.
"The coastal waters of Redland City are home to other species of marine stinger, including Irukandji Morbakka fenneri, or Morbakka jellyfish," the spokesperson said.
"This is a naturally occurring, non-swarming species in Moreton Bay, with reported cases of stings uncommon. When you consider how many people swim in south-east Queensland each year, you get an idea of how uncommon Morbakka is.”
To report Irukandji sightings, contact Redland City Council, Queensland Museum or Underwater World at the Sunshine Coast.
Ms Gershwin’s free Jellyfish App can assist in jellyfish identification.
