Expert Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin talks about blubber jellyfish across Newcastle, Central Coast

Experts have revealed an unusually high numbers of a painful creatures lurking in and out of the water on NSW beaches. See where they are being found.

Numerous jellyfish in the water at Wangi Wangi late April, 2023. Credit: Facebook

If you’ve been brave enough to hit the beach as the cold snap hit, you may also notice a bit more action in the water or washing up on the shores.

There’s been unusual reports of swarms of jellyfish across Hunter and Central Coast beaches, creating what an expert says could be a “stingy slurry”.

The blubber has been spotted at a number of locations, some in the water and some washed up on the sand, creating an unease for swimmers trying to navigate around them.

“Massive swells and high tides, they’ve been everywhere these last few weeks,” a person commented on a Facebook post this week.

Reports blubber jellyfish are washing up and in the water at beaches across Newcastle and the Central Coast (April, May 2023) – Credit: Facebook

A Blubber jellyfish found at Lake Macquarie – Credit: Facebook

“We are at Avoca Beach and it’s covered in them,” another wrote.

Increased jellyfish numbers have been reported to be seen at Terrigal, Wangi Wangi and around Lake Macquarie.

Local Surf Life Saving (SLS) teams have also confirmed reports of blubbers in and around the water.

Marine biologist and jellyfish expert Doctor Lisa-ann Gershwin. Picture: Alastair Bett

“I had no idea what they were but wasn’t tempted to go swimming with them in the water,” one woman commented when she encounter the marine creature at Wangi Wangi.

But marine biologist and jellyfish expert Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin said there’s no need to be alarmed.

“It’s a bit late in the season but they’ve had a good run this year, the water has been really good for them, so it makes sense the bloom is going strong and is finally reaching the end of its summer,” she said.

“We don’t get such warm water persisting quite this late in the season and so the die-off of bloom is a little bit later than usual.

“The water is a nice stingy thick soup, a stingy jellyfish slurry at the moment.

“It’s all part of the natural cycle of things and as global temperatures change.”

Ms Gershwin said when the blubber dies off their slime also oozes into the water, which can be quite “stingy”.

Luckily this jellyfish isn’t dangerous, and it’s easy to relieve the pain if you’re stung.

“It stings but it’s not known to be life threatening,” she explained.

Jellyfish seen in the water on the Central Coast – Credit: Facebook

“Outside the tropics like Newcastle, the proper treatment according to the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARS) is to rinse well with sea water and then use hot water or ice for pain.

“You want to get rid of those stinging cells on the skin before you go and put freshwater on it.

“But for people that do want to swim and want an extra measure of protection, they can wear Lycra or neoprene wetsuits, that might help a bit.”

The Blubber jellyfish is known to be mushroom shaped and around five to 30 centimetres in diameter.

Found in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales and into South East Asia, it’s a creamy white brown colour – or blue if found further north – but doesn’t have tentacles, rather ‘fronds’ or ‘frills’ that hang underneath.