Mass starfish stranding on Noordwijk beach

Thousands of starfish washed ashore on Tuesday in Noordwijk, creating a visual feast for beachgoers and a literal feast for seagulls.

Experts say the strong winds and currents from recent storms, including the weekend’s storm Boelo, likely dislodged the starfish from the seabed, where they cling to the ground with suction cups, and carried them towards the shore.

Mass starfish strandings are common on Dutch shores, particularly after storms. They wash back out to sea once the water level rises, although many are left for bird prey as they die quickly on land.

The phenomenon, which typically occurs four to eight times a year, is a natural one that doesn’t pose problems for the ecosystem, broadcaster NOS reported. But it could if it occurs more frequently in the future, possibly due to climate change.

Starfish feed on mussels, so if they’re stranded on the shore, the mussel population explodes and weaker ones can survive, leading to disease outbreaks.