Jellyfish 101: What to expect in the PHL this summer

It's been a week since actress Anne Curtis' painful encounter with the potentially deadly box jellyfish, and although the young actress is now far from harm, the incident has thrown a spotlight on these gelatinous creatures of the sea.

Not all jellyfish have lethal toxins like the box jelly, but proper care is nonetheless important. Marine biology expert Dr. Al Licuanan answers common questions about jellyfish in the Philippines and how to deal with them:

1. When is jellyfish season in the Philippines?
Usually April and May, when the Habagat ends. However, our recent climate patterns mean many such generalizations don't apply as well

2. How many species of jellyfish do we have in the Philippines? What are the most common ones?
We don't have a recent inventory, but the most common ones are Aurelia or moon jelly (see first video below), and relatives of the genus Mastigias (second video below).
 

 

3. Which of these are lethal, harmful, or completely harmless?
If you have sensitive skin, no jelly is completely harmless because even Aurelia can cause itchiness. The lethal ones are the box jellyfish, members of the Class Cubozoa, also called locally "quatro cantos". They can kill you if you get stung on the chest or face.
 

4. Are there coasts in the Philippines where stinging jellies are more common? If there are, what are these areas?
The first recorded human deaths in the medical literature are in Sual Pangasinan. But jellyfishes are found virtually anywhere. In fact, Aurelia is referred to as "cosmopolitan" in distribution, meaning it is found worldwide, even in cold places like Norway. This is the same jellyfish that caused a Luzon-wide blackout during the time of President Estrada.

5. Box jellyfish have gained notoriety recently due to Anne Curtis' encounter. Is there a cause for alarm? They can be very deadly, but relatively rare according to an Australian site. 
Box jellyfish in Australia were discovered to go up freshwater streams to reproduce. This is why one has to be cautious when swimming in beaches where there are small freshwater streams or creeks joining the sea.

6. What's your recommended first aid for jellyfish stings? Some researchers discovered that vinegar may cause more harm than good in cases of box jellyfish stings, but it's still the recommended general first aid for jelly stings in the US and Australia.
A weak acid like vinegar is good because it neutralizes the stinging cells that can drift around or stay on the skin and still cause trouble. Ammonia, freshwater, and urine are not advisable. One must observe a victim closely, though, because some reactions may be delayed.

Dr. Al Licuanan is an adjunct professor at the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, as well as a faculty member of De La Salle University's Biology Department. — TJD, GMA News