A porpoise and hundreds of pieces of coral have washed up dead on North East beaches after Storm Babet.
The carnage of the storm did not spare marine life as whales, octopuses and smaller marine life have all been affected.
Walkers have been taking pictures of beaches covered in Dead Man's Fingers Coral.
The force of the storm will have impacted the sensitive marine life most.
Nicola Everitt, a marine biologist who lives near Whitley Bay, said: "Quite often when we have large storms we see a lot of Dead Man's Fingers (DMF) washed up.
"It happens when the sea has been particularly rough.
"I'm always down at Whitley Bay but I avoided it for days due to Storm Babet.
"DMF are a particularly sensitive type of coral so that might explain why there has been such a large amount washing up onto our beaches.
"I saw some dead octopuses and squid when I was out walking the other day.
"I heard that a dead whale washed up too.
Recommended reading:
- Saltburn beach covered in dead marine life and starfish
- Seals and more seabirds wash up dead near Saltburn beach
- Dead porpoise and birds wash up on beach near Saltburn
Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device, click here
"People don't need to worry, there is a lot washing up but as a species it will bounce back quickly.
"This is a normal process but it can be shocking when walking along the beach."
Pictures taken from the beach show carpets of dead coral and one walker took pictures of the porpoise.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel