irukandji jellyfish, Fraser Island

Submitted: Monday, Mar 26, 2007 at 19:07
ThreadID: 43664 Views:4604 Replies:6 FollowUps:6
This Thread has been Archived
Hi Guys

Thought this may be of use,i'm from VIC but heard it on the news yesterday...

Site Link

The Irukandji (Carukua barnesi) inhabits Northen Australian waters. This is a deadly jellyfish, which is only 2.5 cenimetres in diameter, which makes it very hard to spot in the water.

This is a species of jellyfish which has become known about in recent years, due to deaths of swimmers in Australia. In 2002, Richard Jordon was stung whilst swimming off the coast of Hamilton Island. He was a 58 year old British tourist, unfortunately he died a few days later.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Monday, Mar 26, 2007 at 20:17

Monday, Mar 26, 2007 at 20:17
Some things do seem to be coming further south at the moment.

Talking to my sister at Kawana (sunshine coast) they went down to the beach Sunday night to watch baby turtles hacthing out of the sand. Never seen before.

Crocodiles seem to be coming further south down the Qld coast too.
AnswerID: 229880

Follow Up By: Angler - Monday, Mar 26, 2007 at 20:23

Monday, Mar 26, 2007 at 20:23
Remember if a croc is seen on the north or south coast all swimming, wading and fishing must stop or be fined $7500.00

Don't you just love our stupid government officials.

Pooley
0
FollowupID: 490640

Follow Up By: T-Ribby - Monday, Mar 26, 2007 at 21:11

Monday, Mar 26, 2007 at 21:11
I've heard there are now crocs in the Rockhampton river. I'm not sure whether it's because the water is getting warmer further south, or because of wild croc protection, the numbers (and sizes) have built up to the stage where they have to spread into new territory and that can only be south. Spooky possums.

T.R.
0
FollowupID: 490669

Follow Up By: Member - Robert A (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 08:43

Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 08:43
Logadiles maybe in Rocky.
You have to remember we as humans pushed them north. They are just coming back due to the fact they are protected..

Jelly fish will get worst as one of the natural killers is the Turtle. Turtle's are a food of certain people. So turtle numbers are less than they use to be.
Croc's are heading south, I've lived in Queensland most of my life. We own a holiday place on the beach at seaforth just north of Mackay. There were no Croc's there. now last time I was up there fishing here comes a little 4 footer down the creek. Makes you think as we do a lot of drag netting for prawns and bait.
In Cairns growing up use to do the same.

Now use cast net more often than I use to.

I think it will take a few more tourist's to be eaten before we start to cull them off.

Rob
0
FollowupID: 490754

Follow Up By: Juzzy - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 11:27

Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 11:27
And those bloody cane toads!

Seems like the only thing being stopped is the fire ants.
0
FollowupID: 490787

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 21:19

Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 21:19
there were crocs in the river at "rockvegas" 15 years ago
Now is the only time you own
Decide now what you will,
Place faith not in tomorrow
For the clock may then be still

Member
My Profile  My Position  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 490904

Follow Up By: Member - Robert A (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 28, 2007 at 00:21

Wednesday, Mar 28, 2007 at 00:21
Dont you mean Prosvegas
0
FollowupID: 490938

Reply By: Camoco - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 07:17

Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 07:17
Just spent a long weekend at the Gold Coast and although nowhere near the danger of the Irukandji, there were literally thousands of bluebottles washed up on shore. To get to the beach you had to be very careful as you tip toed over the three high tide lines of them. They were so thick, we had to walk a fair way just to find a spot wide enough to walk through.

I reckon the water was much warmer than usual and this may be why the Irujkandji was found as far south as Fraser. With warm water and strong currents, they just ended up where they normally wouldn't.

I would hardly think we have an epidemic though. I am sure with the return of "normal" weather, we would not need to worry about them soon for some time.

I did see a lot of other natural things washed up that were out of the ordinary so there must have been quite a current stirring up. Made for good waves though.

Great time to be in the water :).

Cheers Cam
AnswerID: 229956

Reply By: neptune - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 08:41

Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 08:41
I have a friend who is a ranger on fraser and she told me about 5 years ago that they found irukandji jelly fish at fraser then.
AnswerID: 229964

Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 09:23

Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 09:23
Nah, We just make up these stories to scare away the Victorians! Yet no matter how much we tell them that we have crocs and irukandji, they still keep coming......

IIRC, there have only been 2 deaths directly attributed to irukandji......many more people have died from the box jellyfish down south.

Andrew
AnswerID: 229974

Reply By: Member - sparra - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 10:07

Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 10:07
the rangers wife at steep point [w.a.] was flown out of here [useless loop] the other day,she was stung by a irukandji, the trip in to here usually takes nearly an hour,dicko[husband] rushed her in to here in 35 mins. she is recovering.[from the sting,and the drive] cheers, sparra.
AnswerID: 229982

Reply By: li'l rusty - Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 19:03

Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007 at 19:03
I was stung by an Irakandji jellyfish on the western side of Fraser Island at Platypus Bay in 1997. The water was crystal clear and still and I didn't see anything in the water before I felt the whip across my chest. The pain was intense and lasted for hours. The ranger told us that at least someone else had been stung before me on Fraser.

The view over Fraser from the helicopter was the only positive!
AnswerID: 230084

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)