Jellyfish Warning: Auckland Beach-Goers Alerted to Potential Stings

Wellington: New Zealand’s coastal areas, especially in Auckland, are under advisory for potential jellyfish stings, a common occurrence during this season, according to The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). Jellyfish expert Dennis Gordon, an emeritus researcher, explained that the increase in jellyfish sightings is linked to the lengthening days, leading to a surge in plankton, which serves as food for jellyfish.

“As the days get longer, and there’s more daylight, you get a bloom of more plankton. With more plant plankton, there’s an increase in animal plankton, attracting more shrimps and crustaceans – the primary diet of jellyfish,” Gordon stated, as quoted by Xinhua news agency.

Jellyfish tend to stay close to the water’s surface, tracking their food supplies. Due to their weak directional abilities, many jellyfish end up forming dense groups and washing ashore. New Zealand waters host around 35 species of jellyfish, including the commonly sighted moon jellyfish, lion’s mane, and spotted jellyfish.

Gordon cautioned that while lion’s mane and spotted jellyfish may be visually striking, their stings can be quite painful. He advised beach-goers to be cautious and, if possible, wear a wetsuit, especially if jellyfish presence is anticipated. Additionally, he mentioned that individuals can often out-swim jellyfish if spotted in the water.