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Edinburgh Reporter
20-07-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Increased number of jellyfish stings reported on east coast
People visiting beaches on the east coast of Scotland are being warned to look out for jellyfish along the shore after an increase in reported stings. RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeguards say that with sea temperatures rising and more people heading to beaches, they are also seeing an increase in reports of jellyfish. Jellyfish are common throughout the summer months in Scotland, with large groups – or blooms – regularly spotted in the water and washed up along the coast. Moon jellyfish, which are translucent with four distinctive pinkish-purple spheres, are relatively harmless and have a mild sting. But red-coloured Lion's Mane – the largest jellyfish in Scottish waters, reaching up to two metres across with long trailing tentacles – and Compass jellyfish can cause painful stings. The RNLI warned that a sting from a Lion's Mane jellyfish can cause pain and redness, swelling or a stinging sensation and in some cases nausea, sweating, cramps, headaches and other symptoms. They said bathers who suffer a sting should let a lifeguard know straight away so they can provide first aid if needed. RNLI lifeguards are currently on duty on the east coast at Broughty Ferry near Dundee, Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders and in Fife at Burntisland, Leven, St Andrews East and West Sands, Elie, and Silver Sands in Aberdour. Bradley Schreiber, an RNLI lifeguard based across the area, said: 'We've seen an increase in jellyfish recently across all our beaches, especially when there are onshore winds – when the wind is coming from out at sea and blowing on to the beach. 'Over the past two or three weeks we are definitely seeing an increase in reports of stings, although thankfully we've not seen anything too serious. 'With the smaller Moon jellyfish a sting can be quite similar to a nettle, but Lion's Mane jellyfish can get very big and their sting can hurt quite badly. A big Lion's Mane jellyfish, depending on where the sting is, can be quite severe. 'There was a previous situation where one of them slipped into someone's wetsuit, which was too big, and they were stung all over their body.' RNLI said that bathers who suspect they have been stung should avoid rinsing with fresh water or any substances with alcohol as this can worsen the sting. Instead, they should use a card such as a bank card to gently scrape off any remaining tentacles, then head back into the sea between the RNLI's red and yellow flags. The cold salt water helps to soothe the pain and deactivate any remaining stingers from releasing further venom. People who start to feel unwell, or notice a rash or swelling, should speak to a lifeguard immediately as it may be signs of an allergic reaction. Mr Shreiber said: 'If you can feel pain and you believe you've been stung by a jellyfish, let a lifeguard know so we can keep an eye on you in case something more serious happens like an anaphylactic attack, which is an allergic reaction and can come on rapidly. 'It's very rare but it can happen and it's good for us to know so we can keep an eye on you.' Mr Shreiber warned that urinating on the sting area was a myth and 'not recommended'. The tactic, which has been proven ineffective and even possibly harmful, was popularised in an episode of the sitcom Friends, 'The One With The Jellyfish', in which Monica is stung on the foot and Chandler reluctantly tries the remedy Joey recalled seeing in a documentary. Mr Shreiber said: 'We don't recommend that, it's not the advice we give out. 'It's certainly not what we are trained to do. Seawater works just fine and I'm sure it's a lot more hygienic.' Like this: Like Related
Economist
17-07-2025
- Economist
The world is winning the war on cancer
IN 1971 RICHARD NIXON, then America's president, announced a 'war on cancer'. Just two years earlier the Apollo programme had combined big science and big government to put astronauts on the Moon, so hopes were high. Some optimistic doctors talked of a cure for cancer within a few years.
North Wales Live
08-06-2025
- North Wales Live
'I've never seen so many' - jellyfish invade North Wales beaches in their thousands
A huge invasion of 'pretty' jellyfish on the west Wales coast has left residents and tourist stunned. At this time of year beaches are often littered with the creatures but the sheer numbers being seen are beyond anything in recent memory. A boat owner reported seeing 'millions' of jellyfish in Cardigan Bay and rough seas last weekend may have brought many closer to shorelines. With the UK currently gripped by a marine heatware, caused by the mild spring, warmer sea surface temperatures were expected to trigger a surge in jellyfish populations. Online reports suggest large numbers on Gwynedd's beaches, including Criccieth, Fairboroune and Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands), near Porthmadog. Some of the most impressive invasions were seen at Barmouth, where one long-time local reported: 'There are thousands of them along the shoreline, I've never seen so many. They are about the size of a hand and have 4 purple rings visible in them.' These are Moon jellies, the most common jellyfish in UK seas. Their most distinctive feature are the four circles visible through a translucent bell – these are actually their gonads, their reproductive organs. In recent years, Spain has witnessed similar jelly surges and, ahead of this year's peak summer season, tourists have been warned to expect to see more washing up on popular beaches. In recent years, swimming bans have been implemented, blamed on climate change and rising sea temperatures. Last summer, nearly 7,500 swimmers needed medical treatment for jellyfish stings on the Catalan coast, 41% up from the previous year. The good news for Welsh beachgoers is that Moon jellyfish are mostly harmless – their stings pose little risk to humans. 'We used to go swimming amongst them lol,' said one local. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Neither are they a major threat to dogs, though they are slightly more vulnerable: potential symptoms can include itching, drooling and minor agitation. They may also lick paws or rub their face. In some cases, vomiting is possible if dogs lick or eat Moon jellies. More severe reactions are rare, though it's something to be aware of. Other jellyfish have been reported around the coasts of Anglesey and Gwynedd in the past week, including Blue, Compass and Crystal jellies. At worst, all these give a mild irritating sting like a nettle rash. Larger, harmless Barrel jellies are also washing up. When seen, a frequent comment is how beautiful they look. On finding a Moon jellyfish, one woman said online: 'I've seen these on Black Rock Sands they are so pretty with their purple rings.' At Anglesey Sea Zoo, Brynsiencyn, a large number Moon jellies can be viewed in a tank: as many visitors attest, watching clouds of them gently undulate can be utterly mesmerising. 'They have short, delicate tentacles that hang down from the sides of the bell,' said the zoo. 'They catch their plankton prey using a layer of mucus over their bells - before passing the microscopic meals into their mouths parts using special tentacles.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox The ones seen at Barmouth were small, likely juveniles: adults reach the size of a dinner plate and these have been spotted off Aberdyfi. 'There were some huge ones floating past in the sea, bigger than a football,' said one crabber. More dangerous jellies, such as the Lion's Mane and Portuguese Man o' War, typically arrive in smaller numbers later in the summer. Beside the colour and interest jellyfish add to beaches, they help sustain marine and shoreline ecosystems by providing a meal for other creatures such as turtles, gulls and crustaceans. Their arrival on beaches is often said to be a sign of warmer weather ahead - large numbers were reported in west Wales during the long hot summer of 1976. But don't get too excited: while the Met Office said there is 'potential for some warm or hot weather to develop' later this week, there will still be plenty of the wet stuff around.
