Mass Starfish Die-Off on British Beach 'Natural', Environment Agency Says

Beachgoers in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, in North Yorkshire, were shocked to find a large number of dead starfish washed up along the shore on Wednesday, March 29, though the Environment Agency classed what they saw as “natural”.

Footage recorded by Liz Hall shows the dead starfish spread across the sand.

A local business owner told Teesside Live that “clams, oysters and crabs” as well as “black debris” had also washed up on the shore on Wednesday.

An Environment Agency spokesperson, cited in the Northern Echo, said: “We are aware of wash ups of sea life on the beach at Saltburn. Given the recent high tides and weather conditions our experts have concluded it is a natural event, which is normal for this time of year.”

The spokesperson said the black substance washed up on the beach was coal deposit. Credit: Liz Hall via Storyful