Did you know?
- Irukandji jellyfish are found around the world and Australia leads the world in pro-active awareness and risk management
- Only 5 people are known to have died from Irukandji over the past 100 years
- If you wear a “stinger-suit” you have over 75% protection
- Wearing a stinger suit also protects you from the sun and it takes longer to burn through it.
Compare this to:
- 300 people killed by road accidents per annum in Queensland alone
- Fatal snake bites in Australia: 1/year
- Australian bee sting deaths 1980-1990: 20
- Australian lightning deaths 1980-1990: 20
- Number of people killed at Disneyland: 9
- American food allergy deaths per year: 150-200
Every summer there are predictions and threats that we are in for the worst stinger season for years. Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin, a Townsville-based stinger researcher, has once again predicted a bad stinger season for this summer. Emily Smart, marine biologist with the Fantasea Foundation says, “there are a lot of myths and scare-tactics in relation to these tiny marine animals and the Whitsunday Shire Council in unison with other local operators has produced a poster to inform the public about the irunkandji jellyfish, how to protect yourself when in the water and what to do in the case of a sting.”
