Venomous Fish Warning on Norfolk and Suffolk Beaches

In a troubling incident at Southwold beach in Suffolk, Matt Moore, 52, experienced severe pain after being stung by a weever fish while on holiday with his family. The sting occurred as he waded into the water with his son, leading to an immediate sensation akin to stepping on a needle. The agony intensified rapidly, rendering him unable to put weight on his foot within moments. Moore described the pain as "agonizing" for about 20 minutes, lasting approximately an hour and a half before subsiding. Elric Turbett from the Sea Life Centre in Great Yarmouth noted that while weever fish are present year-round, they pose a greater risk to swimmers during the summer months when beachgoers are more active. The fish's spines are designed to deter predators, causing significant discomfort to anyone who inadvertently steps on them. Moore's son, Sid, also reported a similar experience, initially mistaking the sting for a sharp stone. Upon inspection, he discovered a bleeding toe with a puncture wound, leading the family to research the culprit online. They quickly identified the weever fish, a species they had not encountered before. As the summer season draws crowds to the beach, experts urge caution and awareness of the potential dangers posed by these fish, particularly for those unfamiliar with the local marine life.