DOZENS of dead sea creatures have been found dead after washing up on beaches across the county.

Steven Tomlinson was walking his dog along Shoreham beach on Monday afternoon when he came across a dead conger eel and a thornback ray.

The 61-year-old old said there was also a wide-range of fishing gear washed up on the beach alongside dead crabs and even a star fish.

The Argus: A thornback ray found on Shoreham beachA thornback ray found on Shoreham beach

Earlier this week, the Argus reported that a conger eel was also found dead on Ferring Beach, Worthing on Monday.

Hairdresser Holly Asargiotakis found the creature, which she estimated measured somewhere between 4ft and 6ft in length.

Brighton Dolphin Project said recent strandings of marine life could be linked to a surge of trawler activity in the channel.

The Argus: A 6ft conger eel found dead on Ferring Beach, WorthingA 6ft conger eel found dead on Ferring Beach, Worthing

A dead dolphin was found on Southwick Beach on Wednesday afternoon, with rope wrapped around its tail.

Thea Taylor, the Brighton Dolphin Project's co-lead, said: “This is a sad end for this common dolphin, which has clearly been the victim of by-catch.

"Pods of common dolphins have been sighted more regularly over the last few years in the Sussex area and are a great indicator of the health of the local marine ecosystem.

"We need to find a solution to the unnecessary deaths of these marine mammals."

However Sarah Ward, living seas officer at Sussex Wildlife Trust, said the creatures may have washed up on the beach as a result of the recent stormy weather.

She said: "Both these species are known residents of the local seas, and have most likely not survived the recent turbulence and ended up washed up on the beach.

"Thornback rays are fairly common in Sussex waters, they are spotted quite frequently by scuba divers and we see their egg cases washed up on beaches. These egg cases, known as mermaids purses, can be reported to The Sharks Trust, who collate records of them all around the coast.

“Conger eels live for many years, and don’t usually reach maturity until at least five years of age. Females are much larger than males, usually around two metres in length once mature. However, individuals up to three metres long have been recorded.”

Stranded marine mammals should be reported to the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme on 0800 652 0333.