Strange and unusual sight. At the end of last week, several bovine corpses were found on the beaches of Finistère. According to the prefecture, the number of animals discovered will be quite limited for the time being. The corpses, which appear to have spent a long time in the water before washing up in Brittany, were discovered on the south coast, notably in Crozon and Tréogat.
The Finistère prefecture specifies that strandings are treated “on a case by case basis”, but dismisses any alarmist findings, specifying that the departmental population protection directorate is “monitoring the evolution” of the situation.
Animals thrown into the sea
There is little doubt about the origin of these animals. According to environmental associations, these cattle were thrown into the sea, probably by the crew of transport ships. A common practice when animals die at sea. In 2018, more than 2.8 million cattle, goats and sheep were transported alive by sea from European Union countries. Worldwide, maritime transport represents approximately 80% of global trade by value and 90% by volume.