A TEAM of 25 fishermen has come to the rescue of about 450 lobsters washed up on an east coast beach.
East Yorkshire's coastal wildlife has taken a battering with the cold temperatures and strong easterly winds.
Thousands of shellfish, fish and even a porpoise were found washed up along a one-mile stretch between Barmston and Fraisthorpe – the majority of which had starved to death.
RSPB volunteers have also picked up 200 dead puffins in the last ten days and now fear the population could have decreased by 10 per cent.
Jo Ackes, secretary at the Independent Shell Fishermens' Cooperative in Bridlington, said more than 25 fishermen tried to save as many of the shellfish as possible.
She said: "It was carnage on the beach with thousands of different animals.
"There was everything from a variety of fish and crabs, lobsters and even seabirds and a porpoise.
"We tried to save as many as possible and take them to our tanks. It was mainly some of the lobsters that had survived as they are a bit stronger.
"The reason (for them being there) was a combination of factors with the sea being unseasonably cold and the lobsters being quite lethargic and not getting enough food. They have also been battered by the easterly winds and huge tides."
In the end, about 450 lobsters were released off the coast yesterday morning about six miles out to sea.
Jo said: "It is difficult to say what impact it will have.
"Some of the animals that died were pregnant so it might have a knock-on effect a few years down the line. The winds seem to have dropped and the forecast is the winds will come from the west so I hope we have seen the worst of the weather."
The death of hundreds of seabirds, washed up along the East Yorkshire coast, is also blamed on the recent weather.
Keith Clarkson, RSPB Bempton site manager, said about 200 dead puffins had been picked up in the last ten days between Scarborough and Fraisthorpe.
He said: "We have also discovered a smaller number of kittiwakes and guillemots as well.
"It is very depressing as normally at this time of the year the cliffs are alive with puffins.
"Instead we are picking up dead ones."
The puffins take to the cliffs to lay their eggs. Shortly before this, they lose their feathers, which completely grow back.
"At the moment, we think 10 per cent of the colony has died at Flamborough and Bempton – usually there are around 2,000 each year," said Mr Clarkson.
"As well as the ones we have picked up, there will be many more dead birds which have been washed out to sea.
"Because of the easterly winds, the birds have not been able to feed.
"I was recently walking along Fraisthorpe which was thick of mussels and bits of crabs.
"I've not seen anything of this scale in terms of lobsters and puffins."
The RSPB is asking members of the public who see any dead birds on the beach to contact them with details of what bird has died and whereabouts.
Anyone with information should call the RSPB Bempton office on 01262 851179.
