Jellyfish in Malta

 

           No Blood, No Bones, No Brains

                    The Mauve Stinger

                                          By Mr. S.

 

                           Photo by Richard Weninger

 

Editor's Note:  I think it's time for Mr. S. to get a job.

 

A few days ago I was walking along Marsamxett Harbour only to see thousands, if not millions, of reddish jellyfish floating in the water. The next day they were all gone – except for one lonely left-behind. How could that be?

It’s typical of jellyfish to come in swarms. Some reproduce sexually which explains them appearing in these swarms.   As they have no brains and don’t really know where they’re going, ( no, Ilene,  I’m not talking about men )--they just get taken along by prevailing currents and end up on certain beaches one day; the next day they’re all gone.

Instead of a brain, jellyfish have a so-called nerve net--a network of nerves that can detect various stimuli. This triggers the jellyfish sting when touched by other animals or human swimmers.

One of the most frequent Mediterranean jellyfish is Pelagia noctiluca, also called the Mauve stinger. Nomen est omen! Their poison is not lethal for humans, but painful. The best treatment is to apply cold water or ice and avoid rubbing (heating) the affected areas. Some people advise applying vinegar to the wound, but that’s only for Box jellyfish stings. Vinegar only makes other jellyfish stings worse.

There are several theories why the Pelagia noctiluca is becoming a frequent visitor to the Maltese coasts. The main reason is probably that fishing removes the jellyfishes’ main competitor for food, thus leaving more food for the jellyfish to feed on in the Maltese water. Also, there may be more food in the ever warming water, possibly caused by global warming.

So the best we can do is to hope for lots of dolphins and sea turtles that feed on jellyfish, and to try to keep out of their way as they can’t see us, but we can see them-- hopefully, before they sting.

Comments

[joe]

mola mola also known as sun fish

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks, Joe--dolphins are good for many things. I've never been up close to one---Ilene

[Joe]

Dolphins also eat jelly fish....but other than the Dolphin that washed up dead in Buggiba last week I haven't seen any.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Mr. S., would you please remember to put the toilet seat back down tomorrow morning? Thanks---Ilene

[Mr.S]

To pee or not to pee - that is the question !

Bottom line is the the main goal to get rid of the nematocysts without them injecting more poison into the victim .

Step 1 : Get rid of the tentacles without applying pressure . Use sand or a towel and try not to get into contact with them yourself or else ......... back to step 1 and step 2 for yourself .
Step 2 : Remove the nematocysts using sea ( water ) and careful washing off . Applying vinegar is controversial and seems to apply only to box jellyfish , which don't show around Malta . Peeing on the victim is even more controversial . Pee is basically water plus waste products of the body and ammonia and is more like fresh water than vinegar .
You can survive on drinking pee but not on drinking too much sea water ( No Ilene , I don't want to try )
So I don't think we need to carry around vinegar bottles or worse when we go swimming in the Maltese waters but all other options a matter of personal taste -I mean preference .

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi George, Mr. S. says that, too. But that may be because he doesn't want to have to do that if I'm ever bitten by a jellyfish---Ilene

[geroge]

i read that if you pee on it you will only make it worse but...

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Alexandra, glad you brought this treatment up. Someone told me that and I thought they were kidding. That must be a very interesting scene if someone has to get peed on---Ilene

[Alexandra Claes]

Here in Australia we have an abundance of different jellyfish that cause havoc for our swimmers every year. Each beach usually have bottles of vinegar and water readily available for very frequent stings. Not to mention our extremely diligent and skilled lifesavers that watch over our beautiful but very dangerous coastlines.

The rule of thumb for treatment of stings here is, and yes it's a very unsavoury thought and action-----is too pee on the sting or get someone else to pee on you.....gives a whole new meaning to the "golden shower"!

[Mr.S]

One last one !
Jellyfish :
Pour the creme de cacao and amaretto into a shot glass. Float enough bailey's on top to cover the shot, and then drop a few drops of grenadine into it. It looks just like a jellyfish!
Enjoy

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

OK, enough--Ilene

[Steve H.]

Sesame Jellyfish.
RINSE THE JELLYFISH WELL in cold running water and drain. Put it in a stainless steel bowl and cover with boiling water. Let the jellyfish sit in the water for about 15 minutes or until it is tender. Drain and continue to soak at least 6 times in several changes of cold water. Drain thoroughly and blot dry with paper towels and set aside. Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar and sugar in a small bowl. Toss the jellyfish well in this sauce and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Just before serving, garnish with the sesame seeds.

[Mr.S]

Hi Steve ,
I wonder who else feeds on jelly fish ? Maybe it is time to come up with a good jelly fish recipe.Jelly fish stew with hot tentacle sauce .Look forward to seeing you in ( jelly fish - free ) Gozo .

[Steve H.]

A popular theory is the fast declining turtle numbers, as you say they normally feed on the jelly fish. The turtles are still being taken from the sea (illegally) and eaten.