Hey all,

A few months ago there was an article in "The National Geographic" about the reefs off Cuba.

One section spoke about El Caribe, which is a cute way of describing a phenomenon of being stung many times over by some very tiny (invisible) pneumatocysts, clouds of them. The article said that this occurred yearly and seemed to suggest that the phenomenon occurs all over the Carbbean. Does it occur on Bonaire?

Bob

Sea Lice and El Caribe.

Bob. Across the Caribbean and particularly South Florida a stinging phenomena called Sea Lice or Seabather's Eruption is common. It is caused by the nematocyst/cnidocil stings of larval jellies (jellyfish). The brown thimble jelly (Linuche unquiculata) being a primary culprit. Sea larva from jellies carry concentrated toxins and have velcro-like attachment to swimsuits, divesuits, and are also ingested.

The nasty, longlasting rash lasts for a week or two and can be complicated by allergic reactions and even anaphyllactic conditions. Sea lice problems occur more in Florida and the northern Caribbean, Bahamas, but have been reported on most islands and Latin American coasts.

Sea lice is a confusing term, because it also is used in Virginia/MD area for irritating amphipods that attack fishes and end up in seasuits too.

Here is a clinical review from a former colleague, Dr. Mary Russell at FAU. Please note vinegar is no longer recommended as a first aid solution. The pics are gross, so be warned.

http://www.fau.edu/safe/sea-lice.html

Bonaire rarely has a problem with sea larva stings. The epidemiologist and public health physician on Bonaire told me in 1999 periodic outbreaks among Bonairean children, particularly from those playing (and sitting) in shallow water on the east coast.

I read the NGS article as well. Unfortunately, the author didn't bother to research the matter further. Of course Doubilet's u/w photos were great as usual.

All you cared to know about sea lice, huh. But this is NOT a problem on Bonaire.

Bud Gillan
Flying Fish