Marine envenomation is a common, frequently serious, and sometimes neglected medical event. Studies in marine envenomation are now on a firm scientific basis, but remain unfledged in many respects. Present ignorance includes the taxonomy of the Cubozoan and Physalia ‘jellyfish’, the world distribution and life cycle related to Irukandji and ciguatoxic fishes, and the true incidence of human fatalities from envenomations by stonefish, sea snakes, chirodropids, Carybdea organisms, and sting rays. Toxinologic study of marine venoms indicates that Irukandji and Chironex venoms are of particular significance. Little is known about stingray or crown-of-thorns starfish venom chemistry. Venom retrieval, purification, fractionation, lability, and immunology (including antibody cloning) are current research challenges. International appreciation of the value of the Australian first-aid technique of compression/immobilization bandaging in selected envenomation situations, and the availability of safe and specific antivenoms for marine envenomations are future goals. Although the International Consortium for Jellyfish Stings is active, worldwide collaboration is still fragmentary. Crucial to advances in this subject is the exchange of multi-disciplinary information between epidemiologists, chemists, biologists, immunologists, medical clinicians, and divers working in the field.
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