Low tides on summer days bring many visitors to our local beaches. Everett Parks and Community Services staff ask that citizens avoid the sands further from shore during low tides as they may be unstable due to ghost shrimp beds.
Ghost shrimp live in burrows in fine sand and silts in the intertidal zone. The combination of water flooding the sediments and large numbers of shrimp burrows can cause sinking sands when a person walks on them. These are usually in areas only exposed during low tides.
The entrances and exits of the shrimp burrows can sometimes be seen as small mounds or holes in the sand, and these areas should be avoided. While enjoying the beaches this summer, visitors should be aware of where they are walking and avoid the sandy areas far from shore.