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Jellyfish becoming a pain PDF Print E-mail
Written by Kyle Tomek   
Sunday, 06 July 2008
Tingling tentacles: Jellyfish, like this sea nettle, are bringing their stings to coastal fishermen this summer, and most are wading with long pants or waders and carrying sting remedies on their boats.
Tingling tentacles: Jellyfish, like this sea nettle, are bringing their stings to coastal fishermen this summer, and most are wading with long pants or waders and carrying sting remedies on their boats.
Influx of stinging creatures has anglers on the lookout

If spring’s unending winds weren’t enough of a pain for Texas anglers, an influx of jellyfish by the thousands continue to usher stings from the Galveston Bay Complex to Rockport. Folks across the coastal bend are discovering new forms of sting protection as well as treatment for the spineless attackers.

According to Kenneth W. Kizer of the Wilderness Medical Society, jellyfish populations are dramatically increasing around the world — not just on the Texas Coast.

“Although the increase may be part of a natural cycle in some areas, the overall upward trend far exceeds anything that would be naturally expected,” he said.

Suspected causes range from human disruption in ecosystems, rising water temperatures, and overfishing of competitor species. However, many on the coast place blame the infiltration on extremely high salinity levels due to lack of rainfall.

A.F. “Tony” Amos, re-seatch fellow and director of Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, isn’t so sure. “I cannot say why (or even if) there is an increase in jellyfish this year,” he said. “Sea Nettles are fresh-water tolerant and can exist in water as low as 3 parts per thousand salinity.” Nonetheless, anglers are feeling the stings. “I tell all of my clients to wear long pants when we plan to wade-fish,” said Capt. Hollis Forrester of Matagorda. “Somehow the jellyfish still find their way in. That’s why I keep meat tenderizer on my boat as a quick pain reliever.”

Some fishermen have yet to stow away their breathable waders after winter. “I would rather deal with the heat than get stung by all of the jellyfish,” Payton Pawlosky of Bay City said.

Long wading pants are remaining a staple in summer fishing, providing a first line of defense.

Compression shorts like those by UnderArmour, worn beneath long wading pants, can serve as additional protection.

Even driftfishermen are experiencing abundant jellyfish, albeit to a lesser extent. While fishing in Rockport, one angler was shocked to witness his guide unintentionally grab a jellyfish when reaching for a croaker in the bait well. When asked if it was stinging him, the guide said, “a little,” saying the jellyfish likely got into the bait well when he added salt water.

Those seeking to relieve jellyfish stings are advised to pour white vinegar on the affected area and soak it if possible. If no vinegar is available, meat tenderizer applied to the skin can relieve the immediate symptoms. Soaking in salt water is fine, but don’t soak the area with freshwater or apply ice or hot water on the sting. Freshwater causes nematocysts (the stinging organs found in some jellyfish) to release their toxin.
 
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