Latest news with #jellyfish
ABC News
4 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Six months of major marine events in south-east Tasmania
Hobart's River Derwent and other south-east Tasmanian waterways have experienced some extraordinary marine events since December: jellyfish population explosions, toxic algal blooms, wild shellfish health alerts, and mass salmon and sardine deaths. Water quality scientist Christine Coughanowr said it was not uncommon to see one or two such events in a typical summer, but "rarely would you see this many events over such a short period of time". "I think it is quite plausible that at least some of these events are related." A spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) said the incidents were "being closely examined". "While these events can occur independently, it is uncommon to see several in close succession," the spokesperson said. "It is important to note that marine events such as algae blooms are typically driven by a range of environmental factors such as water temperature, nutrient levels, and runoff from various sources, not solely agriculture and aquaculture. "However, the potential for larger toxic algal blooms exists and the ShellMAP program continues to monitor local algal species." NRE Tas and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have engaged the CSIRO to help better understand why the events occurred. "This work will inform the development of state-of-the-art tools that can be used to investigate the contributing factors of events like those experienced over the past summer," an EPA spokesperson said. "And to establish near real-time modelling tools to foster understanding and support more informed decision-making around policy, regulation, planning and incident response." The presence of warmer than usual waters is "likely to be an important factor contributing to the proliferation of marine organisms along the east and south-east coast of Tasmania", according to an EPA spokesperson. Ms Coughanowr, co-chair of Tasmania's Independent Science Council and former CEO of the Derwent Estuary program, said "increasing pollution from human activities, combined in some cases with increasing water temperatures and changes in ocean circulation" were key causal factors. "Excess nutrients, in particular, stimulate microscopic algal blooms in near-shore coastal waters, which can set off the whole cascade above," she said. December 12, 2024 — An unprecedented number of small jelly-like creatures called "salps" are seen at beaches and bays across south-east Tasmania. Lisa-ann Gershwin, a jellyfish and bioluminescence expert, told ABC Radio Hobart an abundance of phytoplankton caused by excess nutrients from aquaculture and agricultural runoff had attracted the salps, which feed on phytoplankton. Dr Gershwin cautioned that salps "literally wiped out" the phytoplankton wherever they occurred, so everything else starved. December 19, 2024 — People warn against swimming at many of Hobart's beaches after industrial waste from the Cadbury factory knocked out a wastewater treatment plant, resulting in sewage flowing into the River Derwent next to the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona). Public health alerts include "do not swim" advice applied to the River Derwent between Austins Ferry and Old Beach in the north, and Sandy Bay across to Howrah in the south. December 20, 2024 — Some residents in Hobart and surrounds post photos to social media showing a pink substance in the water. Dr Gershwin told ABC Radio Hobart the pink hue was a kind of bioluminescent algae called Noctiluca scintillans or "sea sparkles", caused by an increase of nutrients coinciding with the salp die-off. While not toxic for humans, the blooms can be a problem for fish farms, due to the fish being unable to escape should a pen be impacted by the algal bloom. December 23, 2024 – Public health mostly lifts warnings against swimming in parts of the River Derwent due to untreated sewage, except for the western end of Bellerive Beach due to a localised issue. January 1, 2025 – There are more widespread reports that Tasmania's south-east coast was aglow with the bioluminescent algae Noctiluca scintillans. It is the biggest "bloom" in almost a decade. Dr Gershwin told ABC Radio Hobart the algal bloom could lead to a spike in jellyfish populations across the state's south. She described it as an environmental red flag, which could be fatal for other sea life. January 23, 2025 – Large blooms of Aurelia aurita – moon jellyfish – are seen in the River Derwent and halfway up Tasmania's east coast. The jellyfish naturally occur in the river, but not usually in such large numbers. Dr Gershwin said the bloom had been caused by an oversupply of nutrients in the water, from runoff, overfishing, and a natural upwelling in the ocean. She said "huge amounts" of nutrients came from salmon hatcheries upriver and fish farms. February 16, 2025 – Chunks of biological waste are discovered on a southern Tasmanian beach, prompting community calls for testing and an investigation into the nature of the waste. EPA later confirms the waste, which washes up at other beaches in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel over the following weeks, is congealed fish oil from dead salmon. February 20-21, 2025 – The Bob Brown Foundation shares images and videos of dead salmon floating on the edges of fish pens, and piled up in industrial skip bins. There are reports the salmon industry in south-east Tasmania is grappling with a widespread bacterial disease outbreak that is causing mass mortality events. March 20, 2025 – Tasmania's Chief Veterinary Officer Kevin de Witte makes a statement about the salmon deaths, saying the mortality event in the lower D'Entrecasteaux Channel is largely due to an endemic bacterium known as Piscirickettsia salmonis (P. salmonis). The bacterium did not present a human or animal health, or food safety risk, Mr de Witte said. "The bacterium also does not pose a risk to freshwater fish nor is it known to pose a threat to other marine [saltwater] species." May 5, 2025 – Tasmania's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) reports a decline in fish deaths after the mass salmon die-off and says water-quality monitoring no longer detects the presence of antibiotics used to treat the fish infection. May 8, 2025 – Public health issues a wild shellfish alert for Boomer Bay in south-east Tasmania. It warns toxic algal blooms (also known as harmful algal blooms or HABs) are present in Tasmania and that elevated levels of algal toxins have been detected in shellfish in the area. May 16, 2025 – Public health expands its wild shellfish alert to include the Mercury Passage in Eastern Tasmania. It advises not to eat "recreationally harvested mussels, oysters, clams, pipis, cockles, wedge shells abalone and scallop roe". May 17, 2025 – Hundreds of small fish, later confirmed to be sardines, are found dead along the shoreline of the River Derwent. A few days later, Kevin de Witte, tells ABC Radio Hobart the sardines most likely died "due to a toxic algae" called Heterosigma. In Tasmania, the EPA is the primary statutory regulator for water quality and its management, alongside NRE Tas. Both were involved in testing and reporting during and following the recent salmon mortality event. The Derwent Estuary Program also plays an important role coordinating a range of projects aimed at restoring and promoting the estuary and reducing pollution. Following the salmon mortality event, the EPA conducted an internal debrief to "capture lessons from the mortality event" and participated in an inter-agency debrief that extended to consultations with the three salmon companies, an EPA spokesperson said. "Mortalities are a known aspect of salmon farming worldwide. From an EPA perspective, the critical issue is timely collection and management of mortality waste in an approved manner." Ms Coughanowr said more "robust monitoring" of both the condition of, and many activities affecting the health of, our rivers and coastal waters was required. "Often people just call up and report what they are seeing, but we need a more systematic approach than that. Ms Coughanowr said a marine event of the scale of South Australia's toxic algal bloom, which is bringing unprecedented destruction to the state's marine environment, "would be a terrible outcome for Tasmania". "It is important that we don't just blunder into this with our eyes closed," she said. A spokesperson for NRE Tasmania said Biosecurity Tasmania was continuing to look into the recent deaths of the sardines found along the shores of the River Derwent. "At this stage, investigations indicate this mortality event is not linked to the salmon mortality incident in south-east Tasmania from January to April," the spokesperson said. "Biosecurity Tasmania understands it is not pollution-related and the events are likely due to different infectious causes. From ongoing testing, and POMV have been ruled out as the cause of the sardine deaths. "Initial results of testing conducted of the sardines indicate it is likely to be a result of Heterosigma, a type of algae. It is currently not believed to be a bloom, however further testing continues." Ms Coughanowr said whatever the cause of the most recent fish deaths, the health of our waterways needed to be a priority for Tasmania. "We need to reduce pollution and other pressures on our rivers and coastal waters to make them as resilient as possible," she said. Members of the public who observe dead fish, pollution events or suspected biological material can call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or the EPA Incident Response Hotline on 1800 005 171.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Jellyfish sting nearly 100 beachgoers in Daytona Beach over holiday weekend
The Brief Nearly 100 people were stung by jellyfish during Memorial Day weekend in Daytona Beach. Officials urge caution but say most stings are minor and treatable on-site. Despite warnings, beachgoers largely stayed in the water to enjoy the holiday. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Nearly 100 people were stung by jellyfish along Daytona Beach over the Memorial Day weekend, prompting warnings from local officials and beach safety crews. What we know Over Memorial Day weekend, 99 people were stung by jellyfish along Daytona Beach, according to Volusia County Beach Safety officials. The majority of stings were mild, though some individuals required hospital treatment. Jellyfish were spotted both in the surf and along the sand. Beach crews are responding by treating stings with vinegar and advising caution. What we don't know Officials have not identified the specific species of jellyfish responsible for the stings, nor have they indicated whether this sudden surge is tied to seasonal patterns or unusual ocean conditions. It also remains unclear whether more stings may occur in the coming days, or if additional safety measures will be implemented. The backstory Daytona Beach is a popular Memorial Day destination, often drawing large crowds. In past years, beach safety teams have responded to hundreds of water rescues during this weekend. While rescues dropped to 35 this year, jellyfish stings emerged as a new concern, shifting the focus of beach safety efforts. The stings highlight the unpredictable nature of beach safety hazards. While rip currents typically dominate safety advisories, marine life can present unexpected risks—even on high-traffic weekends like Memorial Day. Yellow flags remain in place, alerting visitors to moderate water risks. What they're saying Volusia County Beach Safety Deputy Chief AJ Miller said beachgoers should stay alert but not overly alarmed. "We've pulled out 35 people yesterday and Saturday from the water," he said. "We have jellyfish in the area. Just between Saturday and Sunday, we had 99 people stung by jellyfish." Deputy Miller said it's important to pay attention. "You can see them if you're really watching," Miller said, "But then you're going to spend your whole day staring at the water and not enjoying the day." "It's a minor concern," said Brian Thatcher, a Jacksonville resident. "Everybody's trying to have a good time, go back to work tomorrow, so you got to do something to enjoy." What you can do Visitors are encouraged to seek help from lifeguards if stung; vinegar is available for treatment at beach stations. Those with allergies to insect stings are urged to be especially cautious, as they may be more sensitive to jellyfish venom. Despite the stings, most beachgoers were undeterred, soaking up the sun and surf before heading back to work. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Volusia County Beach Safety, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and visitors to Daytona Beach on May 26, 2025.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Five quirky stories you missed this week as twin boys thrive despite one big difference
A set of twins with one noticeable difference is one of our five local news stories you may have missed this week. Birmingham Live reported how nine-year-old twin boys Sebastian and Emmett from Halesowen in the West Midlands were born at dramatically different sizes because of a rare condition. Elsewhere, the largest jellyfish in the UK have been spotted off the coast of Cornwall and a school bus has been banned from using a bus station. You can read the full version of each of our selected articles through the links under each story – or read more top headlines from around the UK's regions on the Yahoo UK local news page. A mum has shared how a rare condition meant that her identical twin boys were born at drastically different sizes. Sebastian and Emmett, now nine, are still very different in height, meaning that many people do not realise they are twins. Their mum, Lauren Murphy, was 23 weeks pregnant when she was warned her unborn babies had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Read the full story from Birmingham Live A disabled cat has been given a new chance at life after being fitted with a set of wheels. Angel, just nine months old, was rescued as a kitten from a wood yard. Angel is blind in her right eye and paralysed in both back legs. Read the full story from Bristol Live Huge jellyfish have been spotted on the west Cumbrian coastline causing some beachgoers to worry about their potential danger. But the impressive sea creatures seen on St Bees beach have been identified as barrel jellyfish by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, who say they are not usually harmful to humans. St Bees RNLI also said it was not uncommon to find jellyfish on the beach at this time of year but people are advised to keep clear of them. Read the full story from News & Star Parents have spoken of their safety fears after a bizarre row which has seen a high school bus service banned from collecting and dropping off pupils... at a bus station. Since 2021, a bus service for Old Buckenham High School has used Thetford bus station, in the town centre. However, after a new paid public bus service was introduced at the site and complaints were made about congestion, council bosses have told the school it cannot continue to use it. Read the full story from Eastern Daily Press A pair of swans forced part of the M25 to be blocked off on Thursday, creating over six miles of tailbacks during rush hour. Two lanes of the busy motorway had to be closed off between Leatherhead and Wisley and were shut for around an hour after the birds were seen swanning around in the road at roughly 9.20am on Thursday morning. The disruption created 6.5 miles of congestion on the clockwise side of the motorway and added 45 minutes to journey times, National Highways reported. Read the full story from The Standard
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Irish Times
Silver Life
I walked a long line down the footpath, Keeping my step just off the snow creeping inwards towards the road. The frost snaps and chill seeps, yet there, in the snow, white, silver-life lives. In the rough, pale lumps, Pure, clear crystals form. They spread on the ground And fall from the air; snowflakes, frozen and whirling. They split and mirror, again and again, floating down to those mounds of white. White and plump like the pearls that wash in from the ocean, Rolling and growing, and growing like the waves that carry them, folding in on themselves over and over before crashing. But the froth and foam that frame the shore bear the weight of those waves across the grain of silver sand. The water bleaches the rocks and fills the beach with colour, all colour, White. Rainbow-white, like the opals low and buried beneath strata after strata of earth, and stone, and fossil. The ground itself is alive with silver life, layers upon layers of skeletons and shells digging deep and down, to start again the cycle. Though there is no point to start from, not anymore, it never ends. It shifts and sways like the jellyfish, deeper and darker under. They erupt from white polyps to drift and float and flow, and die and begin again as grey, translucent blots. They stain the sea as the dust litters the land, streaking the ground grey, like the grey streaks the white, marble stones. Marble, metamorphic, like the moth that shreds its chrysalis and sails the sky, searching, looking for light. lunar light, rife with the image of life, reflected off a pale, rocky surface. The moon mirrors it down, kneading the light into blobs of white clouds, fluttering along the sky. Clouds, that hurl those balls of frozen rain towards the road, falling on black tracks. Footprints, in the snow.
