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Know before you go - Marine Animals
While the travel information
in this site focusses on the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, many
travellers may want to spend time on our beautiful coast. Just as
rainforest plants and animals have evolved their own defence mechanisms,
so too have marine species.
Marine stingers (poisonous
jellyfish)
Several species of harmful
jellyfish are present off North Queensland beaches during the warmer
months (November to May), the least dangerous of which is the Blue
bottle (Portuguese Man-of-War) - and that's saying something! Several
others - including the Box
Jellyfish or Sea Wasp and the Irukandji
- can be fatal and are nothing less than excruciatingly painful.
Special stinger exclusion
nets are placed on beaches in populated areas during the warmer
months and all bathers are strongly recommended to only swim inside
these nets. However, if you are staying in areas without these special
nets, some protection is offered by wearing the nylon scuba suit
liners sold in dive shops. At the very minimum, a couple layers
of panty hose and tight fitting, long sleeved shirts can help but
the risk remains for your head, neck, and hands. Always take a couple
of large bottles of vinegar when using unpatrolled beaches during
the stinger season. During the summer months, it is best to reserve
your swimming and snorkling activities for the Great Barrier Reef
which is generally outside the zone frequented by the jellyfish
and where there is less liklihood of contact, or freshwater pools
such as Crystal Cascades.
If you are stung or witness
someone else being stung by box or irukandji
jellyfish, immediately pour at least two litres (2 quarts) of
vinegar over the adhering tentacles to deactivate the stinging cells
(although this will not reduce the pain). Patrolled beaches keep
bottles of vinegar near the lifeguard's station. Do not rub the
victim's skin, keep them immobile and use artificial respiration
until medical assistance is obtained. Anti-venom is available for
box jellies. The symptoms of the Irukandji jellyfish take about
20 minutes to develop. These may include nausea and severe abdominal
pain.
Stonefish and Bullrouts
 Not
to be outdone by terrestrial species, the water contains a few creatures
of its own to respect from a distance. The bullrout is a freshwater
version of its well-known saltwater counterpart, the Stonefish.
These are brilliantly camouflaged to look like rocks and they conceal
themselves in weed-beds or among rocks in creeks along the coastal
lowlands. The Stonefish can be found along the coast and around
coral reefs and reaches a maximum length of 30cm (1 foot) but even
small ones are fully poisonous. Both types of fish have spines in
their dorsal fins (the fin on top of the back) with venom glands
attached to each spine.
The usual means of contact
is by stepping on them while wading or putting a hand down on one
when swimming or snorkling. The spines can easily penetrate soft
footwear such as sandshoes (sneakers). Wear substantial shoes when
wading in water and do not step on rocks or coral unless you are
sure it is actually a rock. Shuffle your feet as you wade to cause
a mild disturbance which might encourage any resting fish to move
on.
If stung, rinse the wound
with hot water to remove surface venom and then immerse the limb
in hot water (not hot enough to cause scalding!) to relieve the
pain. Then elevate the wounded area. CPR (Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation)
will be required if the victim loses consciousness. Medical assistance
should be sought immediately and antivenom is available.
Stingrays
Stingrays of different
shapes, sizes, colours and patterns are found on the reef and sheltered
sandy or muddy areas along the coast, especially in estuaries. Rays
are graceful gliders in the water and one is a tourist attraction
in its own right - the awesome and placid Manta Ray. There are many
types of rays and not all have a barb on their tails (although some
species have two).
Rays partially bury themselves
in sand waiting for a meal to come along. Their sandy disguise fools
waders and divers who may unknowingly trod or land on one. The non-aggressive
ray's defence is to whip its tail upward. Injury is caused when
the poisonous spine is thrust into the body or when the spine on
the swinging tail cuts across flesh. Injuries have also happened
when fishermen catch rays on hooks or in nets and then try to remove
them.
When wading in sandy coastal
areas, shuffle your feet in the sand - the disturbance will encourage
any resting rays to move off. Use caution when trying to extract
a caught stingray from a net. Medical treatment is required for
all stingray
injuries due to the toxin and profuse bleeding. First aid is
the same as for the Stonefish.
Sharks
Very few words strike
more fear into people than the word shark but this fear has been
blown completely out of proportion by sensationalism. Out of more
than 340 species of shark worldwide, only a few are known to confront
humans and many of those occasions have been cases of mistaken identity,
provocation or ignorant behaviour. Many of the tropical shark species
seen around coral reefs are small, harmless species that will take
off as soon as they see you (such as the White-tipped Reef and Epaulette)!
There are a few species of genuine concern, however,
for the tropical traveller spending time on the coast. They
are the Bull Whaler (a species that thrives in salt, brackish and
fresh water and is sometimes seen far up rivers), Tiger sharks (of
course), the Great Hammerhead (the largest of the Australian hammerheads
at 6 metres/20 feet long) and some of the reef whalers (Bronze,
Grey, Silvertip, etc.). Generally, these are seldom seen at any
of the regular tourism spots on the reef (much to the disappointment
of seasoned divers who arrive here eager to see some of the large
pelagics!).
Often, it is careless
behaviour which is involved in attracting potentially dangerous
sharks such as spearfishing or throwing fish scraps into the water.
Sharks have extraordinary senses, especially smell, and can detect
one part per million blood or urine in the water. To avoid the possibility
of shark attack, there are some common sense options available:
- DO NOT
swim alone, especially at dusk or sunrise (the time when sharks
do much of their feeding).
- DO NOT
swim in murky water (outside of stinger nets).
- DO NOT
swim in rivers as this is where the Bull Whaler frequents (as
do crocodiles).
- DO NOT throw
bloody food scraps (such as raw meat or scraps from cleaning fish)
off a boat or jetty as these attract hungry sharks and stimulate
aggressive behaviour.
- Even if spearfishing is allowed where
you are, avoid this method of catching fish. The struggling, bleeding
fish tied to your float attracts stimulated sharks the same way
as food scraps in the water.
- If you should cut yourself while in the
water, get out of the water and don't swim again until the cut
has healed over enough not to bleed when wet.
Sharks generally will not be interested
in you - but they could be if you give them a reason. Be mindful
of your behaviour in the water and you won't have to worry about
their behaviour!
 Crocodiles
Crocodiles are among the
earth's oldest creatures and, understandably, they are protective
about newcomers arriving on their turf. Growing to more than 6 metres
(19 « feet) in length, they have occasionally attacked people
wading or swimming in estuaries and rivers.
Areas where crocodiles have been seen are usually
signposted but even if you can't find a warning sign, be alert at
any river, tidal creek or estuary.
If you will be travelling
through or camping along the Wet Tropics coast, ask
a ranger for a "Croc Smart" brochure before you go.
This brochure will tell you how to enjoy the bush without disturbing
the crocodiles (and vice-versa!).
More Info is Available
There are many other attractive creatures
in the ocean that can cause injury such as cone shells, Crown of
Thorns starfish, some corals, some puffer fish, and the huge Potato
Cod. Visit the Great
Barrier Reef website to get more information about what you
should watch out for in the water.
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