Three swimmers hospitalised after being stung by jellyfish at The Strand

Three male swimmers have been hospitalised after receiving jellyfish stings at The Strand, hot on the heels of Townsville’s stinger nets being brought in. Find out the latest.

Leighton Smith

@LeightonESmith

2 min read

May 24, 2025 - 11:36AM

Townsville Bulletin

Stinger nets are normally removed after the stinger season when no jellyfish are detected in drags by lifesavers for 14 days. Pictures: Supplied.

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Just days after stinger season’s end and Townsville’s stinger nets being hauled in, three swimmers have been hospitalised after receiving jellyfish stings at The Strand.

A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said they responded to reports of three male swimmers being stung on Saturday at 7.30am.

She said the swimmers were able to get out of the water before calling triple-0.

They were subsequently transported to hospital in a stable condition.

Townsville City Council responded with a post to social media on Saturday morning announcing temporary beach closures for The Strand.

“Heads up! If you’re planning a swim at The Strand, please note that all beaches in the area are currently closed due to increased stinger activity️,” the council said.

“The beaches will remain closed for the next 24 hours while Surf Life Saving Queensland conducts stinger dragging operations.

“Your safety is our priority — please avoid swimming until further notice.”

Townsville City Council announced that it had removed the city's stinger nets on May 20. Picture: TCC.

It comes after the council announced four days ago that cooler weather had arrived and stinger nets were being pulled in at North Strand, South Strand, Pallarenda, Horseshoe Bay, Picnic Bay, and Balgal Beach.

“Whilst stinger season has ended, we still urge swimmers to proceed with caution in the ocean,” the council said in a social media post.

“Stinger season runs from November to May and nets are only removed after no stingers are caught in daily net drags for 14 days.”

Reef RQ had a box jellyfish on display after it was pulled from the marina. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A TCC spokesman said on Saturday morning that the council remained committed to the safety of our community and worked closely with Surf Life Saving Queensland to assess when stinger nets could be safely removed following the stinger season.

“Nets are only removed once there have been two consecutive weeks of clear net drags – with no stingers or signs of their presence, and water temperatures have consistently dropped below 26°C at all netted locations,” the spokesman said.

“We are aware of reports that a group of ocean swimmers has been stung off The Strand and our thoughts are with those affected.

“As a precaution, all beaches along The Strand have been temporarily closed for 24 hours while Surf Life Saving Queensland conducts stinger drag operations.”

Acadian Surf Life Saving club member Jonathan Dulihanty with a small Bluebottle jellyfish on the Strand in 2020. Picture: Evan Morgan

Earlier in May, Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) thanked its volunteer lifesavers and discussed the closure of 2024/25 volunteer patrol season for five of Queensland’s six regions.

“Our message remains clear: swim between the flags, assess the conditions, and listen to the lifeguards who continue to watch over you. In the North, we thank your lifesavers who are now in full force keeping our tropical beaches safe,” SLSQ said.

This season, Surf Life Saving Queensland:

• Performed 1,052 rescues

• Carried out 14,657 first aid treatments

• Took 109,760 preventative actions

• Experienced 12 fatal drownings — all outside patrolled areas

Surf Life Saving Queensland was approached for comment.