NSRI warns of jellyfish bloom
2010-07-06 13:16
Cape Town - Swimmers and surfers at Milnerton and Blouberg are warned to be cautious as blooms of jellyfish close in on the shoreline, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said on Tuesday.
North-westerly winds would blow the jellyfish, which were currently in the Table Bay area, towards Milnerton and Blouberg beaches, said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.
"Bathers and surfers should be aware of this phenomenon and be cautious along this stretch of coast."
According to Deborah Robertson-Andersson, of Western Cape University, who is researching the jellyfish for the Koeberg Power station, jellyfish were normally found on the Agulhas Bank, the eastern coastline of the Western Cape.
An unusual change in winds caused them to migrate into False Bay and to Cape Point, where currents and winds pushed them first towards Scarborough and Kommetjie, then to the Atlantic Seaboard and into Table Bay over the weekend.
Lambinon said underwater videography showed on Monday that there were millions of small jellyfish floating between the port of Table Bay and Robben Island.
"These jelly fish are seasonal," he said.
"Dogs running on the beach are at little risk of being stung by jellyfish as their sting activates only on contact with protein-based, surface of human exposed skin.
"It is expected that the dogs' fur and paws will prevent access of a sting to dogs."
However human beings were at risk of being stung multiple times on exposed skin when bathing or surfing.
Stings could be treated wit hot water, vinegar, anthisan ointment or stingose.
"While it is expected that stings are relatively moderate... anyone who gets stung and has doubts about the severity of the stings should consult a doctor."
No incidents of human stings had been reported since the NSRI became aware of the jellyfish bloom.
- SAPA