Inside Mackay family’s personal stinger nets business Salty Goods

After a scary Irukandji sting, a Qld family who could not find a product to protect them from stingers have developed a unique solution.

Salty Goods have created a floating stinger net to help reduce the risk of jellyfish stings. Photo: Contributed

A Mackay family have found a new way to enjoy the ocean, no matter the season, thanks to their new marine safe creation.

Amanda and Chris Freeman have launched their new business Salty Goods, selling their specially designed floating personal stinger nets, created to help reduce the risk of jellyfish stings in the North Queensland ocean.

Originally from New South Wales Ms Freeman was used to spending long summer days in the ocean but living in Mackay it often felt unsafe to get in the water.

Ms Freeman and her family witnessed the dangers of jellyfish firsthand in 2017 when she was stung by an Irukandji jellyfish. She said the scariest part was how close her kids were to also being stung.

“It really made me scared for my kids so I wanted to create something where they could be safer, where they could still enjoy the water because the ocean is such a huge part of our life and we enjoy it so much,” she said.

Salty Goods have developed the floating stinger net as a way to be safer in the ocean. Photo: Contributed

“We just wanted something safe we could use with our family and friends, whether we were out at the islands or swimming off the back of the boat.

“When we couldn’t find anything that really worked for North Queensland conditions, we decided to create it ourselves.”

Ms Freeman said they came up with the idea of a floating stinger net after seeing floating pontoons on the back of boats.

The stinger net doubles as a stable swim platform and was designed and tested for local conditions, said Ms Freeman, adding it works best when used in conjunction with stinger suits for extra protection, especially during peak stinger season.

She said getting the design right and then manufacturing it had been a long process but it was important it was easy to put in the water, yet big enough that multiple families could enjoy the water together.

Salty Goods are in the process of developing new stinger suits that are comfortable and lightweight. Photo: Contributed

Salty Goods is also working on a stinger proof inflatable hammock that can be used at the beach, in the pool, or off the back of a boat, as well as goggles, snorkels, masks, and stinger suits.

“There aren’t many options at the moment for stinger suits and I find it really hard to get mine in stinger suits,” she said.

“A lot of the stinger suits that we have on offer at the moment are quite heavy material and they’re really thick and unfortunately that isn’t great for our climate.

“It means that a lot of kids end up taking them on and off on the beach, which is your biggest risk of getting stung if you’re wearing a stinger suit, to be taking it on and off.”

Salty Goods plan to pop up at local markets in the Mackay and Whitsunday regions to show off the floating stinger net in person but for now they are available online.