Big Box Jellyfish Blog Southeast Asia

Venom from box jellyfish of the Chironex-type and Irukandji are insanely toxic. The former is known as the most venomous animal on the planet, while the latter causes prolonged pain and suffering that is almost incomparable.

What happens and what to do if you get stung by a box jellyfish? Just the slightest touch from a box jellyfish tentacle causes instantaneous excruciating pain. The victim will almost always scream in agony. Critically, you have a minute or two, if not seconds, in the heat of the moment to treat the victim or the consequences could be fatal. Delay could mean death.

The only way of safely swimming or snorkelling in seas inhabited by box jellyfish is to wear a lycra suit. Maximum coverage means maximum protection, and the tentacles of a dangerous jellyfish cannot penetrate the fibre. The thing is, they don't look cool. Sea Gypsy  may have just changed that.

Jellyfish warning for travellers swimming in Thailand

A recent harrowing sting event on Koh Samet once again highlights that serious jellyfish stings can occur just about anywhere along Thailand's coast.

A handy reference has hit the smart phone market and the Jellyfish App is now at the disposal of anyone who wants to know more about what they're sharing the sea with. Co-developed by Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin who is the world's foremost authority on jellyfish - she has identified hundreds of them - the Jellyfish App is a virtual encyclopaedia on the subject much like its creator. There are Pro and Lite versions available on the App Store and Google Play covering everything you need to know about the world's jellyfish - current alerts, Jellyfish Near Me function, species info, a bloom blog, an encyclopedia, search facility, FAQs and an Ask Dr Lisa section. Whether you're a traveller, diver, fisherman, beach comber, naturalist, tourist operator or simply have an interest in these amazing creatures, the Jellyfish App answers all of your questions about what and where is dangerous or not, what to do if stung and what to do to not get stung, plus how to raise an alert if...

"In 2002, Shannon Leone Fowler was a blissful 28-year old marine biologist, spending the summer backpacking through Asia with the love of her life - her fiance, Sean. He was holding her in the ocean's shallow waters when a box jellyfish - the most venomous animal in the world - wrapped around his leg, stinging and killing him in a matter of minutes, irreparably changing Shannon's life."

Three recent sting incidents on Koh Lanta in Thailand's southern Andaman Sea region highlight the need for tourists and locals and authorities not to become complacent. Box jellyfish have existed in Thailand's seas for a long time - they are not going away and the threat of getting stung will continue.

Th ai authorities have installed the first of a series of prototype box jellyfish prevention nets in some of the country's sting hotspots.

Reports are starting to come in of an increase in box jellyfish stings on the eastern Gulf of Thailand islands of Koh Mak and Koh Kood.

There has been a spike in reports of jellyfish stings on Koh Samui recently. Generally around Lamai Beach. Most it appears can be attributed to single and multiple-tentacle box jellyfish. In August, 2016 alone there were 17 people with serious stings admitted to hospital for treatment. Fortunately there have been no reported deaths.

At the moment there is believed to be around 50 species of Box Jellyfish. They all have their differences. Many are dangerous and only a few have the capacity to kill. The Chironex-type Box Jellyfish that inhabits Indo-Pacific seas and has caused fatalities from Australia to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and the region is known as the most venomous animal on the planet.