Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1398274
14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 AUGUST 2021 NEWS THERE are over 300 fish species and endless varieties of other marine species inhabiting the Central Mediterranean region, and nature enabled those or- ganisms to develop mechanisms that aid in their survival and evo- lution, to catch food and defend themselves against predators. Dr David James Sammut, au- thor of a two-part article 'Dan- gerous creatures of the Maltese sea: Injuries and treatment' in the Malta Medical Journal, laid down a thorough analysis of harmful organisms that roam the Maltese waters, how to watch out for them and how to deal with any injuries. The treatments mentioned be- low are not evidence-based, as barely any scientific studies are currently available. Serious injuries are often rare and human activity, rather than the sea creatures are the cause of them. Samut says that miscalcu- lation of risky bathing in strong currents and scuba diving when one is not perfectly fit can result in fatalities. P"robably the worst of all in- juries are incurred when being hit by a powerboat or jet ski while snorkelling or swimming, when there is a complete neglect for safety measures. Red buoys should be therefore used when one is snorkelling in a heavy marine traffic zone. Only by re- specting the sea and its environ- ment, and by abiding to safety procedures, can these potential- ly fatal situations be avoided." So watch out for these little (and not so little) perils along our coastline and beyond this summer. Venomous organisms A group of marine organisms have naturally developed ven- omous defence mechanisms they utilise against predators and to catch food. Like all oth- er sea creatures, they are cold blooded and their venom is thermo labile, i.e., deactivated by heat; therefore, heating the area by immersing it in hot wa- ter will minimize the trauma. The Bristle Worm (Busuf) What should I watch out for? Watch out for a worm that's bright red in colour with rows of venomous white hairs along its sides. These hairs are fired into any offending organism when provoked. It lives on rocky bot- toms. Does it hurt? Injury is normally inflicted when the worm is touched with bare hands, as the hairs stick to the skin and cause intense itch- ing. Rubbing of the area should be avoided so that the venom is not pushed deeper into the skin. Pain normally lasts up to four hours and it is advisable to cau- tiously pull out the white hairs in order to ease the pain. How should the injury be treat- ed? The area is to be heated by pouring on or immersing in hot, but not scalding, water. Apply- ing ice to the area and painkillers are also helpful to ease the pain and luckily the injury does not lead to any infection or scarring. The Common Jellyfish (Brama Komuni) and Sea Anemone (Artikla) What should I watch out for? The jellyfish are free swim- ming organisms, while the sea anemones are sedentary and live on rocky shores in very shallow water. They use tentacles as a defence mechanism, and they possess millions of venom-filled cells on them. These cells are fired as soon as anything touch- es them. The sea anemones are related to the jellyfish but they have much more, but narrower, tentacles. Does it hurt? Jellyfish stings are the most common of injuries and they cause sharp, burning pain at the infected area. This leads to swelling, redness and warmth, and may last up to a week. An itching scab develops after a few days along the scars left by the tentacles but scratching of the scab should be avoided, as this leads to a permanent scar. How should the injury be treat- ed? The best known treatment is the application of vinegar onto the affected area, as its acidic pH is said to neutralise the alkaline nature of the venom. Immersing the area in hot water, the use of insect bite anaesthetic sprays, and the application of cold com- presses to the area are also rec- ommended. The Lesser Weever (Sawt), and the Greater Weever (Tracna) What should I watch out for? They are both thin-bodied fish, which live on sandy bottoms and Nice to see you... a moray eel in Malta. Photo by: Fordivers.com/Flickr Critters by the seashore Pay attention to these dangerous sea creatures of the Maltese islands...