Philippine Journal of Science
150 (6B): 1641-1645, December 2021
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 15 Apr 2021

Initial Findings Suggest Box Jellyfish Encounters along
Shallow Philippine Coastlines are Predictable

Wilfredo Y. Licuanan^1,2*, Francis Xavier D. Verdadero³, Julia Louise Ang¹,
Berlin de los Santos Jr.³, and Ephrime B. Metillo⁴

¹Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research Center
De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue 0922 Manila, Philippines
²Department of Biology, College of Science
De La Salle University 2401 Taft Avenue 0922 Manila, Philippines
³Department of Natural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering
Ateneo de Naga University, Bagumbayan Sur 4400 Naga City, Philippines
⁴Department of Marine Science, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology
Andres Bonifacio Ave., Tibanga 9200 Iligan City, Philippines

*Corresponding author: wilfredo.licuanan@dlsu.edu.ph

 

ABSTRACT

Jellyfish stings account for numerous deaths in the Philippines. Despite this, there is little scientific information on the identity, distribution, seasonality, and ecology of the box jellyfish species involved. We present initial findings of three months (April–June 2021) of monitoring the abundance of and envenomations by box jellyfishes in eastern and western Luzon. Emergent patterns suggest encounters between box jellyfish and people are more likely to occur in beach areas within a few kilometers from rivers when tidal ranges are large, particularly around the flood phase of high tide. Encounters are also more likely on coasts where the monsoon winds blow onshore during the warmer months, bringing these animals closer to beach areas. They then stay longer in the shallows when the seas are calm. Beachgoers are, thus, advised to plan their destinations and activities carefully and wear protective clothing when venturing into shallow coastal areas.