Global warming blamed for huge numbers of stinging jellyfish washing up on Highland shores
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Huge numbers of stinging jellyfish have been seen on beaches in Caithness in what could be a sign of global warming.
By Tuesday evening this week, thousands had drifted on to Reiss beach.
The various species included the lion's mane jellyfish, which can give an electric shock like sting.
Other areas where large numbers of jellyfish have been spotted include Dunnet, Scrabster, Papigoe, Scarfskerry and John O'Groats.
After analysing photographs sent to her, a spokesperson for the Highland Environment Forum said she recognised a lion's mane jellyfish and described its sting as "very unpleasant".
"It's quite normal for them to end up on beaches in the summer – but it is possible that global warming, warm summers and ocean current changes are increasing them," she added.
Laura Cameron took a picture of a lion's mane jellyfish beached at Scrabster on Monday that was around four-and-a-half feet wide.
She said: "Apparently if the streamer bits come away from the body they still sting as well. Hot water and antihistamines are best, I think."
Jonathan Ball has gone sailing and diving around the north coast and is very familiar with marine life.
He said: "A lion's mane can have tentacles 50 feet long and I probably wouldn’t walk barefoot on the beach. A sting will be very uncomfortable and cause pain and swelling, but unless there's any severe reaction there are no long-term effects.
"Vinegar will soothe a sting but see a doctor if you are concerned."
Dr Peter Richardson, the head of ocean recovery at the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), said that as far as he is aware no-one has ever died from a jellyfish sting in the UK – but plenty have had a nasty shock.
He said: “It's the peak of jellyfish season in the UK, with several of the more common species occurring around the coast of Scotland, as expected, including the blue jellyfish and closely related lion's mane.
"Both these jellyfish sting, with the lion's mane packing a particularly powerful and painful punch."
Dr Richardson added that in recent years jellyfish have been appearing in quite large numbers and especially around the north-east coast of Scotland.
"Fishermen in Caithness were finding that their nets were being inundated with them. They don't tend to feel stings on their hands but on their face it hurts."
The MCS has launched a nationwide survey of jellyfish through its website but urges beachcombers not to touch them.