The media recently reported about alarming surges in jellyfish populations in the Mediterranean Sea. The phenomenon was scientifically assessed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. Shortly before that news appeared, a popular Aussie eco-craft blogger and her artist husband were killed by jellyfish as they snorkeled close to shore in Western Australia.

 

Kathreen Ricketson and Robert Shugg were fatally stung by irukandji, the world’s most venomous creature. The tragedy made more horrific as it happened in sight of their young children on shore. Ricketson was pulled from the water and, as rescuers attempted resuscitation, Shugg slipped below surface. His body was found on shore last week.

 

The Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation reported irukandji jellyfish had been spotted there a month earlier, with an unprecedented number of people stung in April (13 confirmed cases, against previous records of about two cases a month).

 

Irukandji jellyfish measure about 2.5cm in diameter and extremely venomous. Australia does post beach signage at known areas of jellyfish infestation, but how to protect eco-tourists like Ricketson, Shugg and their 5000 Twitter followers who don’t always stick to controlled natural settings where warnings can be broadcast and beaches closed?