MARINE WILDLIFE HIT BY COLD WEATHER

Around 25,000 velvet swimming crabs and marine wildlife have become the latest victim of the recent cold weather in Thanet.

Volunteer coastal wardens from the Thanet Coast Project have surveyed the coastline and reported hundreds of dead creatures washed up on the shore. Casualties have been reported from the Nayland Rock, Margate and in bays to the Kingsgate area, with further sightings between Dumpton and Ramsgate. The discovery was made following the Christmas period, following on from the recent heavy snow falls.

It follows similar incidents in previous years, notably in early 2009 and 2010, which both followed snowfall. Investigations by the Environment Agency had showed no evidence of virus or disease, and the conclusion looks increasingly like the crab and marine life deaths are linked to the cold weather.

The velvet swimming crabs made up approximately 75% of the affected coastal wildlife, but a variety of other marine life has also been affected, notably edible crabs, shore crabs and starfish. However, lobsters, dead man’s fingers, anemones, sea mice and one sunstar have also been found.

Cllr. Martin Wise, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “The severe cold weather can disrupt marine life, as well as our own lives. Usually the temperature of the marine environment is much more stable than our air temperatures. However, it looks increasingly like Thanet coastal wildlife, such as these crabs and starfish, just can’t cope with the severe cold. The casualties run into thousands of mainly velvet swimming crabs. Our volunteer coastal wardens have been reporting casualties from the Christmas holidays and after the last couple of years, these were not entirely unexpected. The deaths appear to be a natural part of the struggle for life on the seashore, and we expect most of the crabs to be naturally dispersed from our shores quickly by our local seagulls and turnstones.”

“Local people can help local coastal wildlife by enlisting as a Thanet coastal warden and receive free training as a local shorelife champion for their local bay. The wardens act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of our coastline helping to monitor wildlife and coastal activities and report incidents like this.”

More information about becoming a coastal warden can be be found at www.thanetcoast.org.uk or volunteers can register your interest by e-mailing thanet.coast@thanet.gov.uk or calling the Thanet Coast Project 01843 577672.