Big Freeze Sparks The Death Of Thousands Of Sea Creatures
Wildlife in the UK has taken a serious hit following the Big Freeze last week. Starfish, crabs and lobsters are just some of the creatures that have been seen washed up on the North Sea coast following the recent storms.
Sudden drop in temperature caused invertebrate die off at our local beach. pic.twitter.com/YCmNXbid7n
— John Scattergood (@jwscattergood) 4 March 2018
Reports have claimed that tens of thousands of invertebrate marine creatures have been piled up, knee-deep in some areas such as the Holderness coast in Yorkshire. Bex Lynam, from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said, “There was a 3C drop in sea temperature last week which will have caused animals to hunker down and reduce their activity levels. This makes them vulnerable to rough seas – they became dislodged by large waves and washed ashore when the rough weather kicked in.”
As well as this, some fish were also found, with Lynam commenting, “Larger animals such as dolphins are more mobile and can save themselves by swimming away when this sort of thing happens.” Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s team have been working alongside local fishermen to rescue the few living lobsters that they could find amongst the remaining dead creatures. Lynam continued, “This area is very important for shellfish and we work alongside fishermen to promote sustainable fisheries and protect reproductive stocks. It’s worth saving them so that they can be put back into the sea and continue to breed.”
Dr Lissa Batey, senior living seas officer at the Wildlife Trusts, said: “We can’t prevent natural disasters like this. But we can mitigate against declining marine life and the problems that humans cause by creating enough protected areas at sea and by ensuring that these sites are large enough and close enough to offer fish, crustaceans, dolphins and other marine life the protection they require to withstand natural events such as this.”
Prof Callum Roberts, at the University of York and one of the UK’s leading marine conservation experts, said about the government’s 2011 marine consultation, “They have no management at all, so life within them remains unprotected. They will be worse than useless, giving the illusion of protection where none is present.”
I’m Jess Murray, wildlife conservationist, photographer and writer. Follow my Facebook page and Instagram account to be part of the journey. I like to document the natural world and create awareness through my writing so that your future can be sustainable and positive.
Image Copyright: npdstock / 123RF Stock Photo
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