Mysterious purple jellyfish onTasmanian shores

A number of unusual jellyfish have been sighted in Tasmanian waters raising questions over whether they sting.

One of the unusual jellyfish washed up at the beach. Picture: SUPPLIED

SOUTHERN Tasmanian beaches are being invaded by mauve jellyfish.

Beachgoers are reporting dozens of pinky-purple mysterious sea creatures in the water and washing ashore, including at Blackmans Bay Beach, Kingston Beach, Conningham Beach and Cremorne.

Hilda Kirby and her granddaughters Eliza, 8 and Mathilda Brown, 9 of Blackmans Bay, were fascinated by the discovery. The young girls thought the jellyfish were pretty.

Sisters Eliza, 8 and Mathilda Brown, 9 of Blackmans Bay with jellyfish at Blackmans Bay Beach. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Jellyfish expert Lisa-Ann Gershwin, who is based in Hobart, has received at least a dozen calls about the sea creatures in recent days.

“Going on the images I have received these are relatively rare here. I first spotted Aequorea

in Dodges Ferry 2009. The specimens I collected then were in ratty shape so I wasn’t able to have them formally classified.

“Now is my chance.

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“It’s a relatively new species that hasn’t been classified formally.

“If it’s the Aequorea jellyfish that I think it is, I have been waiting for these for a decade.

“I’m about to go out this afternoon and pick up some specimens.

“They are an incredible species, it’s not just their purple colours but also they have these long flowing tentacles and are bioluminescence.”

Local Kelly Goodwin said her family went to Blackmans Bay beach for a swim on Saturday afternoon.

She said while it was a treat to see the jellyfish bloom it meant they kept out of the water.

“The kids wanted to swim but I didn't know what these were and if these could sting so we thought it was safer to keep out of the water,” she said.

“There were hundreds in the water and on the shore, it was quite a sight”.

Kingborough Council’s Sarah Wilcox said the council had also received calls.

Dr Gershwin has been studying jellyfish and all things gelatinous for 28 years.

The group the Aequorea are from are not known to be a severe stingers.

“From this species I suspect it is not capable of giving a serious sting to people,” Dr Gershwin said.

“They do have stingers and common sense would be to leave them alone as would be with anything that has toxicity.

“They do make fantastic viewing and photos when they are alive and being beautiful in the water.”

To treat a sting, unwrap the stinging tentacles, wash the area with salt water, soak in hot water. Seek medical attention if needed.