Скачать или смотреть STINGERS - Box Jellyfish in Port Douglas

iPhone4 Video by Lion Keezer - February 2011

Tropical waters in all parts of the world are prone to their own annoying and/or poisonous seasonal visitors.

In Queensland this is the season for 'Box Jellyfish', known for the extremely potent venom.

Also called 'Marine Stingers' they are among the most venomous creatures in the world...

Stings are extremely painful and often fatal to humans in less than 90 seconds.


Port Douglas' Four Mile Beach has a large stinger net enclosure at its northern end which provides safe and trouble free beach swimming during the summer months.

During summer in North Queensland (November to March) the prevailing winds bring a variety of dangerous jellyfish (Marine Stingers) onto the the beaches.

In Australia, the fatal envenomations are most often perpetrated by the largest species of box jelly.

Most recent deaths in Australia have been in children, which is linked to their smaller body mass.

In April 2010, a 10 year old Australian girl survived multiple stings from box jellyfish and her survival is considered a medical miracle.

In northern Australia, the highest risk period for the box jellyfish is between October and May, but stings and specimens have been reported all months of the year.

Australia contributes more than $1.2 million a year toward maintaining nets and supplying life saving services to ensure that locals and visitors can swim on the far northern beaches year round.

Swimmers should have fun, but pay close attention to life guards' directions.