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Blue-Ringed Octopuses Terrorise Balmoral

Published on: February 2025

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-150360

Blue-Ringed Octopuses Terrorise Balmoral

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore)

—Speaker Balmoral is loved by locals for its calm, warm waters and stunning sunsets, but this Summer it has been hit by waves of bluebottles and now an influx of blue-ringed octopuses, one of the world's most venomous creatures. Mosman local Jaun Paul Kalman, also known as JP, was recently bitten by a blue-ringed octopus while wading in waist-deep water at Balmoral. JP was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital after his body went into paralysis. He was placed into an induced coma for 20 hours, and after being discharged, he suffered another paralysis attack, requiring a second round of treatment from the hospital. Thankfully, JP is now recovering well and enjoying life with renewed vigour, thanks to the tireless efforts of the dedicated medical staff at Royal North Shore Hospital. I want to recognise the exceptional team at the hospital for saving JP's life, and I also want to thank JP for bravely and openly sharing his experience, raising awareness in our community about these extremely dangerous marine animals.