The influx of box jellyfish along the South Shore has receded today, with just 12 stings reported at Waikiki Beach and none at Ala Moana Beach Park as of 1 p.m., lifeguards reported.

“It’s really subsided,” said Capt. Paul Merino, who overseas Ocean Safety and Lifeguard operations on the South Shore. “It’s a beautiful warm Hawaiian day and the jellyfish seem to have taken a break, which means there will be even less tomorrow.”

On Wednesday and Thursday, more than 227 stings were reported, mostly in Waikiki and concentrated in the protected area ewa of the Kapahulu wall.

News coverage of the box jellyfish invasion helped reduce the number of stings today, Merino said.

“People are very cautious today about going in the water,” he said. “It really helped to slow down the activity.”