Jellyfish like our beaches

 

An unwanted visitor has been arriving in numbers at Te Arai beach.

While not especially dangerous, the mauve stinger (or purple-striped jelly) can be a little perturbing to young learner surfers and beachgoers.

“We are finding them everywhere,” says Che Burnett of Aotearoa surf.

The stinger is usually pink and white, and large – up to 70cm in diameter with tentacles over one metre.

“We always advise our surfers undertaking lessons about jellyfish. We always fit our surfers with wetsuits so are unlikely to be stung but these certainly are big fellows,” adds Che.

An invasion of these jellyfish has recently hit Wellington beaches sparking warnings for people to be careful and to keep dogs out of the water.

At least two dogs have been treated after being stung, and a fisherman off the Petone wharf had to cut his line free after snagging jellyfish.

Otago University marine scientist senior lecturer Miles Lamare said it appeared to be the mauve stinger, usually found in Europe.

“They will sting but are not deadly.There is also some thought that numbers of jellyfish are increasing due to climate change and loss of predators,” Dr Lamare said.

n For information on treating jellyfish stings go online to healh.govt.nz/your-health.

The mauve Stinger