East Sussex WRAS and BDMLR have been called out to look at a large mass of Goose Barnicles washed up on Eastbourne Beach. Local newspaper the Eastbourne Herald emailed photos of the strange looking objects on the Holywell beach at Eastbourne. They were sent to Jamie Dyer BDMLR’s Scottish Co-ordinator (and former Sealife Manager) to identify.

"I’ve seen these before where they attached themselves onto a log and other floating debris in the water and then multiply till the object is completely covered and is unrecognisable. We even had a turtle in from the Isle of Skye last year which had loads attached to it." said Jamie Dyer, "looking at the photos they look fairly fresh still and viable so it’s worth trying to get them back into the water but they may just wash up again. Unfortunately they can only survive for a limited period of time out of water."

BDMLR medics and East Sussex WRAS rescuers Andy Tilney and Tony Neads were sent down to the beach to assess whether the barnicles can be moved and returned to the sea and luckily the tide had already refloated them by the time they arrived.

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Press Contact: Trevor Weeks, East Sussex WRAS, 07931 523958

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