WILDLIFE HIT BY COLD WEATHER

Thousands of velvet swimming crabs have become the latest victim of the recent cold weather in Thanet.

Volunteer coastal wardens from the Thanet Coast Project have been out surveying the coastline and have found hundreds of the creatures either dead or dying, washed up on the shore. So far, crabs have been reported mainly between Westbrook, Cliftonville and Kingsgate. However, there are also reports of lower numbers from Broadstairs to Ramsgate. The discovery was made after the recent snow melted, exposing the crabs.

It follows a similar incident in early 2009, following another snowfall, when investigations by the Environment Agency showed no evidence of virus or disease. The conclusion is that it looks increasingly like the crab deaths are linked to the cold weather.

Although the velvet swimming crabs make up approximately 95% of the affected coastal wildlife, a variety of other marine life has also been affected from edible crabs, common whelks, sponges, dead man's fingers and anemones. Unusual shoreline finds during this cold spell have included two sunstars, a masked and a circular crab.

Tony Child, Thanet Coast Project Manager, said: "This shows just how much severe weather can disrupt marine life, as well as our own lives. In our own gardens, we can see the effect that the snow and ice has on feeding birds and local wildlife, but of course severe weather can also have an impact on our local shorelife. Usually the temperature of the marine environment is much more stable than our air temperatures. However, investigations into a similar incident we had along the Thanet coast last year now make it more likely that the crabs just couldn't cope with the severe cold. Obviously with the recent cold weather, the sad discovery that our coastal wardens have been making over the last few days is not entirely unexpected. I'd like to reassure people that the crabs shouldn't pose any danger to either people or animals. As happens with the circle of life in nature, we expect the crabs to be naturally dispersed from our shores very quickly by our local seagulls."

He added: "Local people can help local wildlife by becoming a Thanet coastal warden. They were the first ones to discover the crabs and are the 'eyes and ears' of our coastline, helping to monitor wildlife and coastal activities and report incidents like this."

This year's induction training for voluntary coastal wardens is being held on Saturday 30 January 2010 and you can register your interest by e-mailing thanet.coast@thanet.gov.uk or calling the Thanet Coast Project 01843 577672.