Stinger nets back on deck

STINGER season has arrived at Townsville’s beaches, with nets to protect swimmers from box jellyfish and other creatures operating from this weekend.

The nets have been installed this week at beaches along The Strand, Magnetic Island, Pallarenda and Balgal Beach and will be in place until May.

Surf Life Saving Queensland’s North Queensland regional manager, Jen Rees, urged all locals to be vigilant at local beaches this summer, and to wear full stinger suits if they decided to go in the water.

“It is vital for beachgoers to check the conditions and speak with the lifesavers and lifeguards before entering the water,” she said.

“When the red and yellow flags are up the lifeguards and lifesavers have completed the marine stinger drags and deemed the beach open.

Ms Rees said people could download the Beachsafe app on their smart devices to check conditions and if beaches were open before they left home.

Townsville Council spokesman Cr Maurie Soars said the council would work with its contractor Uninet to maintain the nets and “ensure the continued amenity of our beaches through the stinger season.”

Stinger nets are installed at many of Townsville’s beaches over the stinger season, which runs from November to May. Nets are only removed after the stinger season ends and once no stingers are caught in daily net drags for 14 days. Installation dates:

Balgal Beach - Monday 31 October 2022

Horseshoe Bay and Picnic Bay - Tuesday 1 November 2022

Pallarenda - Tuesday 1 November 2022

The Strand North and South - Wednesday 2 November 2022