AN IMPORTANT seminar on box jellyfish is being held at the Phuket Marine Biology Centre from April 1-3 - and as if to attract an audience, the ''boxies'' have suddenly returned to the island in large numbers.

Today, an outbreak of jellyfish was also reported in the sea off Phi Phi. The creatures (believed to be non-harmful) were at first reported to be on the beach, in a similar way to the recent Patong infestation, but later reports said it was an infestation in the sea.

On Friday, a researcher collected 45 immature specimens of dangerous box jellyfish in Nam Bor Bay, on Phuket's east coast, not far from Phuket City.

The bay appears to be teeming with thousands of tiny ''junior jellies,'' each about one centimetre across.

Their unexpected return since February deepens the scientific mystery about where they come from, and where they may be going next.

Over the first two days of the seminar, experts from as far away as Australia will examine the Andaman region's recent experience with the potentially deadly jellyfish and other harmful varieties.

The third day will bring discussion on warnings, protection and first aid in the event of jellyfish stings.

On April 4, the public is incited to a special seminar at Le Meridien Phuket.

Coastal health officials, epidemiologists from Bangkok and marine biologists from all over Thailand are coming for the conference, the largest of its kind so far. Representatives are coming from Malaysia, which also has a jellyfish problem.

Flying in from Australia will be Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin, Senior Advisor, Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Services, Kim Moss from UniNet, and Andrew Jones, father of a young boy who survived a box jellyfish sting in the Gulf of Thailand.

Mr Jones is now an advocate for awareness.

Dr Gershwin is expected to accelerate an investigation into whether the box jellyfish are likely to spread to Phuket's popular western beaches.

So far, their presence has only been detected on the east coast, except for one sighting at the north end of Bang Tao Bay.

The April seminar has been organised by Dr Somchai Bussarawit, whose role as the chief of the museum and aquarium at the Phuket Marine Biology Centre has rapidly broadened to fast-track research on the mysterious marine creatures.

A Swedish girl died in April last year after being stung on a Koh Lanta beach in Phang Nga Bay, and the discovery in July of two species of box jellyfish in Phuket waters led to increased concern, along with a Public Health warning campaign.

The coming seminar is a sign of the growing awareness of the need for proper safety and protection in the sea for residents and tourists.

Encouraged by the recently departed Governor, Dr Preecha Ruangjan, the water safety campaign gained an emphatic edge with the deaths of six tourists and a staffer in a dive boat mishap off Phuket last Sunday.

Phuketwan plans to continue to promote awareness about jellyfish dangers and the need for safety on beaches . . . and in and on the sea.

Why did a boat that was launched barely five months ago topple over in the kind of typical savage storm that can be expected to occur off Phuket?

We intend to keep pressing for an independent inquiry.

As the accompanying Photo Album shows, the box jellyfish is a remarkable creature. Intelligent, capable of propulsion, able to see 360 degrees , , , and not aggressive.

Stings occur through accidental contact. But we need to know where these creatures are so people can be warned to steer clear of those areas.

Phuketwan also recently travelled with Dr Somchai to Koh Lanta, where his regular check turned up no sign of the box jellyfish.

It did give Phuketwan photojournalist Chutima Sidasathiwan a chance, though, to take some excellent photos of the island and the trip.

The jellyfish mystery continues. When we checked at Nam Bor Bay with Dr Somchai late last month, no box jellyfish were being captured there.

Now the ''boxies'' are suddenly back, and so is the scientific mystery.

Jellyfish of non-harmful kinds have also invaded popular beaches this year, with no scientific explanation. One theory yet to be disproved is that overfishing has reduced the number of turtles and large fish, natural predators of jellyfish.

Contact information about the seminar: 076 391126. The Australian team is flying to Phuket with the help of the airline Jetstar and Le Meridien Phuket Resort and Spa


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