Video: Thousands of starfish wash ashore on Dutch beaches after weekend storm
Thousands of starfish have washed-up along several Dutch beaches following stormy weather over the weekend, according to local reports and social media posts. Visitors spotted the sea creatures in Noordwijk, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog, and Petten aan Zee in recent days.
Johan Craeymeersch, a North Sea researcher, said this phenomenon occurs regularly after strong waves reach the seabed. "It happens once waves are high enough to reach the bottom," he explained to Hart van Nederland. "The animals get detached from the seabed and end up in the current. In the biological community, there is discussion over whether they mainly wash ashore with onshore or offshore winds, but these specimens probably came loose during last weekend’s storm when the wind was blowing inland."
Most of the starfish are unlikely to survive. Craeymeersch noted, "They can take a bit, but if they lie on the beach for a few days without being taken back by the sea, they will eventually die." He advised against returning the animals to the water, as many are already weakened or dead and serve as food for seagulls.
Concerns over the number of dead starfish are minimal, according to Craeymeersch, who said millions of starfish live in the North Sea. "The ones washing up make up only a small fraction."
