Expert warns of impending jellyfish threat to beachgoers

GEORGE TOWN: Pollution and higher temperatures are causing an increased number of jellyfish in the sea, which will be a threat to beachgoers in the country, a marine life expert said yesterday.

The authorities must take precautionary measures to mitigate this rising threat, Centre of Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) director Aileen Tan said.

“There should be designated swimming areas along public beaches and safety nets should be put up around these areas to prevent jellyfish from encroaching into these areas,” she said during a talk titled “The Emerging Jellyfish Threat” organised by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) at Bayview Beach Resort in Batu Ferringhi here.

She proposed that first aid stations, equipped with vinegar, be set up along beaches for immediate treatment of jellyfish stings.

A physician from Kuala Krai Hospital, Dr Mohd Shukruddeen Salleh, also proposed that poles containing bottles of vinegar be placed along beaches with a higher threat of jellyfish.

“The authorities should also put up warning signs of jellyfish danger along affected coasts and start a ‘bring your own vinegar’ campaign so that beachgoers always have a bottle of vinegar with them in case of jellyfish stings,” he said.

He added that it is important that beachfront hotel employees are trained to treat jellyfish stings to prevent fatalities.

Vinegar can be used to neutralise the poisonous stings of jellyfish, he said.

While pollution was blamed for the rising threat of jellyfish along the shoreline, Tan said the sea creatures are also attracted to plant fertiliser and other nutrients in the water.

“Nutrients such as plankton and algae can also attract jellyfish to the coastal areas,” she said.