>Dr Alastair Lyndon, from Heriot-Watt University, said: “Underwater cables emit an electromagnetic field. When it’s at a strength of 500 microTeslas and above, which is about five percent of the strength of a fridge door magnet, the crabs seem to be attracted to it and just sit still.
>“That’s not a problem in itself. But if they’re not moving they’re not foraging for food or seeking a mate.
>“The change in activity levels also leads to changes in sugar metabolism - they store more sugar and produce less lactate, just like humans.”