They feed on smaller fish, zooplankton, molluscs and crustaceans. Gulls, sandpipers and terns are some of the larger animals on sandy shores. Most large burrowing sand animals, e.g. mole crabs, mussels and ghost crabs are used as food or bait. Popular bathing beaches may be so disturbed that no sign of animal or plant life remains. Development such as mining and building on beaches or in the dunes ruin sandy beaches.
Dunes are vulnerable to trampling, vehicles, dumping of refuse, grazing, and littering.
Many of these activities destroy the vegetation which stabilises the dune sand. A trip to the beach at night with a torch will show you many creatures not normally seen. Avoid walking over dune vegetation, driving vehicles on the beach, making fires with coastal forest timber and littering. Share-Net, P O Box 394, Howick, 3290. G. Branch and M. Branch.