Jellyfish deaths spark research call

The recent deaths of two tourists thought to have been stung by tiny, previously unknown species of jellyfish off tropical Queensland beaches has sparked a call for extensive research funding.

Townsville-based James Cook University (JCU) vice-chancellor, Prof Bernard Moulden, said JCU and the Australian Institute of Marine Science were developing a broad-based plan to learn about the dangers caused by jellyfish, but needed funding to carry it out.

"There is a considerable collection of knowledge on jellyfish in northern Queensland", Moulden said, "but there are still large gaps in the identification and classification of harmful jellyfish species, the biochemistry of jellyfish venom and in the ecology of the different jellyfish species."

The tourists' deaths have been blamed on mystery species of the tiny Irukandji jellyfish, too small to be caught by swimming nets. An increase in their numbers is thought to be associated, ultimately, with Barrier Reef pollution and global warming.

Moulden said the diversity of jellyfish in northern waters meant a diversified research approach was needed. At present, jellyfish research is funded through a trust fund, Cairns City Council and JCU.

"While the NHMRC is a possible source of funds for medically related research, the multi-disciplinary group approach is not well-matched to their funding criteria," Moulden said.

Current research expertise covers engineering (swimming barriers), taxonomy and genetics (identification), ecology (distribution, breeding, feeding habits), biochemistry and molecular biology (venoms) and physiology and medical (effects of toxins, and their treatments).