Rare cuttlefish found washed up on Cornish beach after Storm Eunice
Other uncommon sightings include a seahorse and common octopus!
Cornwall Wildlife Trust volunteers have found a rare, pink cuttlefish washed up on a beach after Storm Eunice.
The unusual discovery at Marazion in Mount's Bay has been confirmed by marine biologists after being reported to the trust's Marine Strandings Network.
Cases of pink cuttlefish bones have been logged in the database before, however experts say finding the animal intact is incredibly rare.
More than 400 stranding events were recorded by the the trust last year, with an increasing number of calls typically received during the winter months.
Other uncommon strandings in recent weeks include a seahorse to a common octopus.
Abby Crosby, marine conservation officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: "Our Marine Strandings Network records all dead organic material which washes up around our coastline, from huge basking sharks to non-native species like this rare pink cuttlefish.
"We’ve had some uncommon strandings in the last few weeks – everything from a seahorse to a common octopus – and it’s these records that help us understand the state of our seas.
"The Network has been running for nearly 30 years, providing an invaluable long-term dataset of marine strandings in Cornwall which in turn starts to flag changes in our marine environment".
Abby continued: "Long-term monitoring by the Trust has helped to identify true changes in distribution of marine life, whether that be warmer water species such as the grey triggerfish becoming a more common sight or even a shift in common dolphin populations in recent years.
"It is essential that we keep these historic projects running and data coming in".
The Trust is hosting its annual Marine Strandings Network Forum on Saturday 12th March, an event open to all members of the public to learn more about the project and the research taking place.
The hybrid event can be attended online as well as in person at Truro College and the details can be found on the dedicated website.