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Seaside, Oregon 07/08/25

Is this normal? Thousands of dead crabs 🦀 on the beach, multiple tide. Layers of crabs up and down the beach.
I grew up here but I don’t remember any huge die off like this. I am also noticing fewer (far fewer) seagulls than usual. I think they may have been adversely impacted by the bird flu? Maybe they usually scavenge the crabs?

Commentaires

Glum_Leg_83442025-07-09 04:57

All you can eat crab for something!

Fartknocker5002025-07-09 05:30

They smelled really delicious! 🤣🤢

spyhopt2025-07-09 05:20

If not crab exuviae, it could be from hypoxia on the ocean floor.

Fartknocker5002025-07-09 05:29

Interesting. Hypoxia was responsible for a die off in the Hood Canal (WA) some years ago. It’s not exuviae because these were whole crabs, definitely not molting. Thank you for your insight.

Hizzeroo2025-07-12 03:57

Probably hypoxia or high levels of domoic acid from algal blooms. I checked the state’s website but didn’t see any warnings or updates regarding toxic algae so hypoxia is likely. It’s been happening somewhat frequently along the Pacific coast over the past decade or so.

Kaashmiir2025-07-09 17:30

Are they actual crabs or empty shells? Crabs do molt their shells often as they grow, and some actually die from the stress of it while doing so, but the ones I can see look empty?

Fartknocker5002025-07-10 12:49

I’d say 80% were whole crabs.

OnePragmatic2025-07-10 23:28

Where is the sea?

KUTULUSEE2025-07-11 15:59

Got me feeling hungry

holymolas2025-07-11 16:00

Dungeness crabs molt in the summer in the PNW!

Fartknocker5002025-07-12 04:06

Not a molt, predominantly whole dead crabs.

holymolas2025-07-12 06:13

The picture is of crab molts. Crabs leave behind the lining of their gills, digestive tracts, etc when molting.

BeeLEAFer2025-07-14 00:34

They’re molts.

https://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/shellfish/crab/

jhammon882025-07-11 17:39

The death stranding

Few_Ice58312025-07-14 21:29

this photo shows molts for sure.