TREATING WEEVER FISHING STINGS

TOPE EXPLAINS HOW TO TREAT WEEVER FISH STINGS:


MANY OF OUR SOUTHEAST AND WEST COASTS ESTUARIES CARRY NUMBERS OF POISONOUS SMALL LESSER WEEVER FISH UP TO ABOUT 10cms LONG.IT'S OFFSHORE COUSIN,THE GREATER WEEVER GROWING TO 2LBS OR MORE,IS CONTACTED BY BOAT ANGLERS.BOTH HAVE A LARGE,SHARP SPINED BLACK COLOURED DORSAL FIN THAT CARRIES POTENT VENOM THAT ONCE INJECTED CAUSES SEVERE PAIN AND SWELLING OF THE AFFECTED LIMB.tHERE ARE ALSO ADDITIONAL POISONOUS SPINES ON THE GILL COVERS.

If injected with venom, a healthy person will feel the effects for 24hrs,but thire has been cases of fatalities when the victim has had other medical prob;ems causing physical weakness,especially heart complaints.

We anglers are particularly at risk.Shore fisherman often mistake these for smaller fish,and swing them straight into thier hands,and then grab them around the body making direct hit with the dorsal spines.The same mistake is easily made abroad a boat.Always check and identify a look-a-like whitting before handling.

Anglers digging for sandeel in sandbanks,crab pickers and even when you're digging worms can potentially put you in contact with the lesser weevers as they bury in the sand,and leave the dorsal exposed.

With this in mind,it's worth knowing what to do if you or another angler gets venom from a weever.The following information comes from a ward sister,based at margate hospital,who has treated many such cases during her working life.

1.POUR ON ANY FORM OF ALCHOL OR HOUSEHOLD VINEGAR DIRECTLY OVER THE WOUND,CONTINOUSLY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO INCAPACIATE THE STINGING CELLS THAT HAVE FULLY PENETRATED THE WOUND.

2.APPLY A PASTE OD EQUAL PARTS OF SODIM BICARBONATE{BAKING POWDER} AND WASH DIRECTLY TO THE WOUND AND SURROUNDING AREA TO DRAW OUT THE POISON.

3.USE TALCUM POWDER TO DUST AROUND THE WOUNDED SKIN AREA TO MAKE ANY CELLS STICK TOGETHER.EVEN BETTER THAN TALCUM POWDER IS MEAT TENDEISER USED FOR BARBECUE COOKING.IT CONTAINS PAPAIN AS ONE OF IT;S INGREDIENTS THAT CAN ACTUALY INACTIVE THE VENOM.

4.THIS WILL STABILISE THE WOUND AND REDUCE THE SPREAD OF POISON,PLUS MINIMIS AND DISCOMFORT.GET TO A HOSPITAL OR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR FURTHER TREATMENT.

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Thanks tope :well:

Never new that

[PlanktonBoy]

I trod on one once bare feet.
My foot was massive, went to the first aid place and they near boiled me foot.
They reckon put your wound in as hot water as you can stand.
Not an experience i would recomend.
:cry:

[Norfolkboy]

that must have been bad!!!

[steve devon]

dont sound to nice :?

[upnorth1]

That's what I was always told.

The hotter the water the better, as hot as you can stand..

[DownSouth]

Correct, the hot water breaks down the venom. Evil bloody fish. BTW the insore and smaller Lesser Weaver has much more potent venom then the Greater Weaver, so be very careful collecting that bait, especially the Sandeels.

[dobbin]

I got stung about 40yrs ago fishing off the old blackpool pier when the lower jetty was intact. I was taken to victoria hospital and they didnt have a clue. I am now a small boat owner and I took out 3 friends recently and the only femal in the party caught three of them one after another just off fleetwood bout 1mile out. Take care with these blighters as they can inflict a painful sting even when dead.

[monkey nuts]

also be care full when gutting turbot and brill , thay eat them and thay will still sting you even dead and part digested
great bit of info tope

[dobbin]

Thanks for that, I didnt even know that any other fish was capeable of eating them, we live and learn evn at my age. lol