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CSIRO scientists are working to classify a new species of giant jellyfish after one washed up on a beach in southern Tasmania.
The 1.5 metre jellyfish was found by a family walking on a beach at Howden, south of Hobart, last month.
There have been several reported in waters off the state and the research body has also captured specimens.
CSIRO scientist Lisa-ann Gershwin told ABC Local Radio while the species has been seen before, it is technically unclassified and new to science.
"It's a whopper. We do get large jellyfish and this one just happened to be this absolutely enormous specimen," she said.
GezinhoKiko
Its a new species so who knows what kind of nasty defence/weaponry its carrying.
Keep poking it and we may find out!
The jellyfish is not dangerous, but can sting.
"If you touched it or whacked into when you were swimming it is very painful," Dr Gershwin said.
"It's not life-threatening, but it will sting you, it will wake you up."