Blue Bottles on the rise

Surf beaches around the peninsula are reporting the rare arrival of blue bottles.

Seen more commonly further north on NSW and Queensland beaches, local sightings have been reported at Gunnamatta, Flinders Beach, Sorrento, Phillip Island and even in Port Phillip Bay.

If you haven’t come across them before – beware – they hurt.

Blue in colour with trailing tentacles- their venom is strong enough to kill the small fish they live off and in humans it causes excruciating pain.

Importantly, for bluebottle stings you should avoid using vinegar (or urine).