Thousands upon thousands of sea creatures have been found washed up on beaches in North East England’s ‘waist deep’ mountains. There are fears that pollution could be to blame.
Dead and alive lobsters, crabs and other crustaceans continue washing up on the Teeside coastline, between Saltburn & Marske. Local residents call it the worst’ thing they’ve ever witnessed.
They can also be seen along the coast at Seaton Carew, Seaham and further North at Seaham.
Monday’s confirmation by the Environment Agency that it had launched an investigation into this mysterious event and determined if high levels of emissions were to blame.
Fears pollution could be to blame as mountains of sea creatures wash up on North East beaches (Pictured), between Marske and Saltburn, and Seaton Carew and further North at Seaham
Dead and alive crabs and lobsters are still washing up on the sand in the ‘waist-deep mountains’.
Monday’s confirmation by the Environment Agency that it had launched an investigation into this mysterious event and determined if high levels of emissions were to blame, was Monday.
Sharon Bell, a Marske resident, walks the beach near her home every morning and said that the number of creatures has steadily increased in the past two weeks.
On Monday morning, she was out photographing the sunrise along with Christopher. They were shocked to see huge piles full of dead and alive lobsters and crabs on the beach when they arrived.
They spent the next four hours trying desperately to get any living ones back into water.
Mrs Bell, 48, stated that she was walking her usual route from Marske to Saltburn when she was shocked and saddened by the sight of seaweed in certain parts. There were thousands of live and dead lobsters and crabs.
“I have never seen anything similar.”
“My husband, and I have spent hours trying to get as many live ones back into the sea as we could, it is very, very wrong. This has been happening for several weeks along our coast, and no one is doing anything to stop it.
She has lived in this area for 21+ years and says she has never seen anything quite like it on Monday morning.
“It was horrible to see. It has been steadily growing over the past few weeks, but it is nothing like I have ever seen. It was so deep in parts and piled up that high.
Just over two weeks ago, TeessideLive reported dead crustaceans had been spotted washed up at Seaton Carew, Redcar and further North in Seaham. The Environment Agency started an investigation. It is currently ongoing.
TeessideLive was told Monday by a spokesperson for the agency that they are investigating whether there has been a pollution incident.
“We are working with partners at Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture and North Eastern Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority, to investigate why hundreds have washed up along shore in the Tees Estuary and neighboring beaches,” said a spokesperson for Environment Agency.
“Samples containing water, sediment, mussel, and crab have been collected. These samples will be sent to our labs for analysis to see if there was any pollution that could have contributed to the animal’s deaths. We also shared samples with CEFAS laboratories for disease analysis.
Jacob Young, Redcar MP, said: “Deeply concerning that this seems to continue on our coastline.
“I have raised it with Ministers, and will continue to do so, until the cause can be identified.
“My thanks to CEFAS and the Environment Agency for their investigations thus far.”
Redcar residents took to social media Monday morning to voice their dismay after photos of the beach were posted.
“This horrible wildlife is being killed. This requires investigation. What’s going on north coast? One resident shared his concerns.
Another said, “This is a terrible person must be held accountable, if it’s killing our wildlife then it could also kill humans,”
For anyone who sees pollution, a phone number has been provided.
Please call the Environment Agency at 0800 807060 if you become aware of wildlife pollution.