Stinger season begins

30 October 2009

Stinger resistant nets will be returned to northern waters next week, signalling to the region’s beachgoers that the marine stinger season has begun.

Suppliers of the enclosures Uninet will deploy the nets on Cairns regional beaches from Monday 3 November.

Division 9 Councillor Sno Bonneau said Cairns Regional Council financially supported the stinger resistant nets and worked with SLSQ and Uninet to put them in the water and maintain them.

“In the last financial year, Council has contributed more than $1.5 million to the safety of local beachgoers, in supplying lifeguards and stinger enclosures to beaches throughout the region, “ Cr Bonneau said

“Every year Council works with lifesavers to appeal to beachgoers to swim safely and stay behind the stinger resistant enclosures.”

“Although the nets are not 100% stinger proof they still are the safest place to swim,” he said.

Lifesavers regularly drag inside and around enclosures to capture marine stingers including Irukandji (Carukia barnesi) and Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckerii) that can cause stings evoking severe reactions.

Lifesaving Services Coordinator for Far North Queensland Ebeny Keating said swimmers are advised to swim between the red and yellow beach flags and refrain from sitting on or interfering with the stinger enclosures, as jellyfish may wash over the top or through the sides.

“Wearing protective clothing such as Lycra body suits has proven to be effective in preventing stings and also acts as valuable sun protection,” Ms Keating said.

Stinger resistant enclosures in the Cairns area will be returned in the following schedule:

Monday 3 November: Trinity, Clifton, Holloways Beaches, Palm Cove, Port

Douglas Four Mile Beach

Tuesday 4 November: Kewarra, Ellis Beaches and Yorkeys Knob

Wednesday 5 November: Bramston Beach