Presence Of Jellyfish Research Articles

Jellyfish risk communications: The effect on risk perception, travel intentions and behaviour, and beach tourism destinations

Jellyfish hazards at 3S destinations are underrepresented in tourism research. Using a novel conceptual model based on risk perception and destination image theories, we used an experimental setting to examine whether different types of jellyfish risk messages influenced people's travel intentions and behaviours. In addition, the study tested the influence of worry and culture.We sampled 415 prospective visitors to two of the world's most successful beach tourism destinations, the Costa Brava coastline of Spain and the Great Barrier Reef region of northern Australia, both adversely affected by the presence of jellyfish. At these unique destinations, contact with jellyfish can be painful and deadly. Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, fictitious vignettes were posted on an internet Travel Forum containing two different jellyfish risk messages, one informal and the other official. Participants' responses to these communications were tested.We found that risk messages influenced destination image but not travel intention. People from risk-averse Germanic European countries were more inclined to alter their behaviour by avoiding the water than other cultures. These findings add to the body of knowledge about the relationship between risk communications, risk perceptions and destination image.This study suggests that wildlife-associated risk communications can influence people's risk perceptions, but not sufficiently to change their travel plans. This knowledge is important in policy-making and managing responses to risk at tourism destinations. It is also important in building visitor trust and confidence, whereby tourists know that their safety and enjoyment are valued and are paramount to the destination.

Análisis de la vulnerabilidad del turismo y el ocio ante enjambres de medusas en la Costa del Sol oriental. Una perspectiva multiescalar y multitemporal.

A methodological essay is presented to assess vulnerability of beaches´ human activity caused by jellyfish blooms arrivals. The pilot study area are the beaches of Torre del Mar and Caleta de Vélez (Velez-Málaga, Spain). The methodology proposes various criteria to assess the vulnerability of the tourism sector at various levels of scale, both in spatial and temporal dimensions. There are three spatial levels: scale of detail (the beach itself), socioeconomic influence area and municipal scale. On the other hand, the short and long-term consequences are estimated at a temporary level. Fundamentally, user surveys, interviews with economic actors in the area and analysis of statistical records are used. In general, it is observed that part of the economic activity related to the beaches improves in the short term with the presence of jellyfish while in the long term it suffers.

Epidemiology of jellyfish stings reported to summer health centres in the Salento peninsula (Italy)

The presence of jellyfish along coasts constitutes a potentially serious public health problem because of the toxic effects of contact with them. To determine the epidemiology of jellyfish stings in the Province of Lecce, Italy, in 2007. The study involved the gathering and processing of data on patients seeking medical treatment at summer first aid centres and hospitals along the coast of Salento following contact with jellyfish. In 2007, 446 bathers sought medical assistance following contact with jellyfish. The spatial distribution indicates a greater frequency of stings sustained along the Adriatic coast, while the time analysis shows patterns related to wind direction. Most of the injuries were seen in persons aged between 1 and 10 years and in females. In 24% of cases, injuries were sustained to several parts of the body, while single injuries were mainly to the lower limbs (33%). In 4.9% of cases, there were complications, including one case of anaphylactic shock. In the light of the significant level of medical assistance provided, there is a need to identify suitable strategies that will guarantee the best response in terms of both prevention and treatment.

Jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus juveniles use jellyfish for predator avoidance and as a prey collector

Juveniles of carangid fishes including jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus are known to associate with jellyfishes. The function of this association behavior was studied through rearing experiments and underwater visual observations. Association behavior of jack mackerel with moon jellyfish in experimental tanks was more frequent in the presence compared to the absence of predators (chub mackerel Scomber japonicus). In the experimental tanks, the presence of jellyfish, however, did not mitigate predation by these predators. Although jack mackerel did not feed on the jellyfish itself, they frequently fed on the captured prey (Artemia nauplii) whilst in the gut cavity of the jellyfish. Underwater observations of giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai off Kyoto and Fukui prefectures revealed that approximately 30% of these jellyfish were accompanied by jack mackerel juveniles with body sizes ranging 10–45 mm standard length (SL). Considering that jack mackerel juveniles found in subtidal rocky reefs ranged 40–120 mm SL, we considered that jack mackerel from 10 to 45 mm SL associate with jellyfish as a hiding place as well as a food collector, until they find a suitable reef habitat when they attain approximately 40 mm SL.

Beyond the Bench: Flagging Environmental Health Awareness on Beaches

During the summer months, folks flock to the beach to enjoy the combined pleasures of sun and sea. Smart beachgoers know that before they take a dip, they should check whether any warning flags are flying, indicating hazardous conditions such as rip currents or the presence of jellyfish. Now, Galveston swimmers can look for a new “environmental alert” flag. The new flag warns beachgoers of air and weather conditions that could pose a health threat, especially to particularly vulnerable populations such as asthmatics, the elderly, and people with heart or lung disease. The new flag reflects the translation of research findings into concrete community health education by investigators in the Asthma Pathogenesis Core of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and codirectors of the Asthma Community Outreach and Education Core (COEC), in partnership with the Galveston Sheriff’s Office Beach Patrol, the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Three years ago, investigators Sharon A. Petronella and Edward G. Brooks initiated the Gulf Coast Study of Urban Air Quality and Respiratory Function (GC SURF) to study pulmonary function in a cohort of lifeguards in Galveston. During the summers of 2003 through 2005 they collected pulmonary effects data on the GC SURF cohort by using portable spirometers, which measure the amount of inhaled and exhaled air. This allowed them to evaluate exposure to and effects of air pollutants and weather conditions including nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, wind speed, outdoor temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation. The data gathered helped the investigators determine particular times of day when changes in air quality could affect breathing health. Now, whenever the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality deems that air quality conditions exist that might affect vulnerable populations, the city’s 26 lifeguard towers and 7 free-standing beach stations deploy an orange flag and display information on posters and in brochures describing the particular environmental issues and guidelines for protecting health. The program, which the COEC believes to be the first in the nation to enlist lifeguard participation in an environmental health public warning system, provides educational materials on ozone, fine particulates, and, as needed, red tide. The group has now also developed a partnership with the Galveston County Health District to display the environmental flags at each tower when water quality is less than optimal. Petronella says the alert program is the result of a true collaborative effort between the partner organizations and is a solid indication of what can happen when a community comes together. The developers, who hope the orange flag alert program can be used as a model for other beaches, presented it at the annual meeting of the U.S. Lifesaving Association in Galveston in 2004. In addition to the GC SURF flag alert program, the Asthma Pathogenesis Core of the UTMB COEC is also involved in other projects that focus on building connections between research, education, and community health. One of these, the Texas Emergency Department Asthma Surveillance Project, is a collaborative effort coordinated by Charles Macias of Baylor College of Medicine that links the databases of Baylor and three other Texas hospitals to track asthma-related emergency room visits. The results will aid in the development of an educational intervention program. Another project, Communities Organized Against Asthma and Lead, is an environmental justice consortium combining the educational outreach efforts of the COEC with community social services and health care providers. COEC investigators are also involved in a school asthma surveillance project. “As researchers involved in the UTMB NIEHS Center Asthma Pathogenesis Core, we work in and with our community to identify problems and potential solutions related to our environment,” says Petronella. “Our COEC, however, allows us to take our work one crucial step further––by actually assisting the community with education, intervention, and development of policies that will effect positive change in the health of our residents and all visitors to our part of the Gulf Coast.” In essence, Petronella says, the COEC forms the bridge from basic science to the public. “This is essential to our success,” she adds, “since the key to any public health research program is the use to which the data are put.”