Marine Stingers: Review of an Under-Recognized Global Coastal Management Issue |
| |
Authors: | Lisa-Ann Gershwin Monica De Nardi Kenneth D Winkel Peter J Fenner |
| |
Institution: | 1. Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery and Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Services , Launceston, Tasmania, Australia;2. School of Education, University of Queensland , Brisbane, Australia;3. Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology , University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Australia;4. Fenner Family Medicine , Mackay, Queensland, Australia |
| |
Abstract: | Dangerous marine stingers (jellyfish) are an emotive issue in tropical Australia, where they are widely regarded as the number one marine health threat. However, numerous severe and fatal stings have been reported throughout the tropical and temperate seas of the world, indicating that marine stingers are a global health problem. Further, life-threatening jellyfish stings are more frequently reported globally now compared to earlier decades, possibly as a result of improved recognition and reporting, or increased spatial and/or temporal distribution or densities. As stinging incidents may also have significant financial implications (lost tourism revenues and liability settlements), and the treatment of envenomed patients comes at high cost to the taxpayer, this issue is also a management challenge. This article outlines suggested approaches, based largely on Australian experience, for dealing with this under-recognized global coastal management issue. |
| |
Keywords: | coastal and marine stinger management Cubozoa jellyfish liability and risk management local government tourism |
|
|