Tide of dead crabs washed up in Thanet
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by Martin Jefferies
mjefferies@thekmgroup.co.uk
Extreme weather is believed to have caused the deaths of
thousands of crabs in Thanet for the second year running.
So many velvet swimming crabs - or devil crabs, as they are
commonly known - have been washed up in Westbrook Bay over the last
week that beach users have struggled to see the sand in places.
Tens of thousands of creatures were wiped out in a similarly
cold snap last January, sparking an investigation by the
Environment Agency amid fears a mystery virus could be to
blame.
The latest discovery was made by Tony Sykes, a volunteer coastal
warden who monitors marine life and coastal activity on the
outskirts of Margate.
The 65-year-old, who lives in Westbrook, said: "After the
incident last year and the subsequent tests by the Environment
Agency, we've been keeping a close eye on the situation.
"I'd say that several thousand crabs have been washed up this
year, mostly in the Westbrook area and along to St Mildred's
Bay.
"The deaths have almost certainly been caused by the chilly
weather, rather than pollution or disease."
All Thanet coastal wardens have been put on alert in case the
deaths are more widespread or in greater numbers than expected.
However, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency shared Mr
Sykes' view that the incident was caused by an entirely natural
phenomenon.
She said: "Our marine biologists have told us that the deaths
are caused by the weather. We've seen many species starting to live
closer to the seashore but in doing so, they're more prone to the
effects of the cold.
"Our investigation found no obvious cause, such as disease, for
the deaths in 2009. The crab population seemed to recover by the
summer and there is no reason for that not to happen again this
year."
For full story, see this week's Thanet Extra, out on
Wednesday January 13
Tuesday, January 12 2010
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