Thousands of starfish wash up on Noord-Holland beaches, including Zandvoort

Beaches in Noord-Holland were again blanketed with hundreds of starfish, marking the latest in a recurring natural phenomenon that has fascinated locals and visitors alike. This year’s spectacle mirrors a similar event around the same time last year, when beachgoers encountered a vast number of starfish scattered along the shoreline.

Marine ecologist Kees Camphuysen explained that such large-scale wash-ups can occur due to various factors. One significant cause is bottom trawling by shrimp fishers near the coast. Another is strong onshore winds, which disturb the seabed.

"The wind can churn up the seabed, sweeping starfish along until they end up on the beach," Camphuysen said in an interview with NH. Starfish typically live close to the coastline on the seabed, requiring only a short journey to reach the shore.

For those concerned about the creatures’ fate, Camphuysen offered some reassurance: "When the tide comes in, it’s possible for many of the starfish to crawl back into the sea."

The scene was somewhat more somber last October, as as masses of dead sea creatures—including sea urchins and cockles—washed ashore.