Weever Fish Warning To Cornish Bathers

Bathers along Cornwall's coastline are being warned to be on the look out for the country's most poisonous fish.

Weever Fish are about 15cm long and have venomous spines along the dorsal fin.

They like shallow water and are so well camouflaged that many people do not see them until they have stepped on them.

In recent days more than 30 people have received stings on local beaches.

The pain is described as excruciating.

Despite their small size, weevers are thought to be Britain's most dangerous marine species.

Once trodden on the fish uses specially-adapted dorsal fins to inject a fast-acting poison into the wound.

The pain is at its most intense for the first two hours when the affected limb swells up.

If left untreated it will continue feeling numb until the following day and some pain may last for up to two weeks.

If the spine actually breaks off in the foot it will cause discomfort until it is removed.

Weever advice

Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium's Matt Slater says: "The chances of actually stepping on a weever fish are very small but there are some basic precautions to avoid getting stung.

Watch our BBC film about what to do if you get stung, by a Weaver fish: Watch the film

"The simplest is to wear some form of footwear in the water. Another way is to shuffle your feet through the sand as you walk - this disturbance should scare away any nearby fish.

"If you do get stung the most effective treatment is to put the affected limb in water as hot as the victim can stand without causing scalding."

The heat helps to breakdown the poison but it also increases blood flow to the sting causing natural cleaning and healing.

The venom produced is a nerve poison and has a chemical in it which is one of the most potent pain producing substances known.

Most Cornish beaches have lifeguards trained in first aid and help and advice can be sought there.

The majority of reports of stings occur during the summer months.

The weever's poisonous dorsal spine is a defence against would be attackers, unfortunately the sight of a gigantic human foot descending towards them is viewed as a justifiable threat.

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