The Government has announced that an independent panel is being set up to look into the cause of a mass die-off of crustaceans on North Sea beaches in 2021.
Thousands of dead and dying crabs and lobsters washed ashore along parts of the North East coast between October and December 2021, with dying creatures "twitching" and displaying "lethargic behaviour". Residents reported that piles of dead crustaceans were "waist deep" on beaches including Seaton Carew and Saltburn by the Sea, while smaller numbers were reported in Seaham and Seaburn.
Following the distressing scenes, fishing crews warned that sparse catches offshore following the event were "catastrophic" for their livelihoods.
Read more: Marine deaths on North East beaches more likely to be caused by industrial toxins than algal bloom
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) led an official investigation into the incident and concluded that an algal bloom was the most likely cause, rather than dredging, chemical or sewage pollution, or animal disease. Then Fishing Minister Victoria Prentis said "we may never know for sure" what caused the deaths of crabs and lobsters at a Westminster Hall debate in June 2022.
However, subsequent research by academics and backed by the fishing industry suggests that the die-off was more likely caused by an industrial pollutant named pyridine, possibly from dredging in the mouth of the River Tees to maintain channels for port traffic. The Newcastle University professor who headed up the investigation felt that the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen then made comments akin to a "personal attack" launched at him and the science behind the report, despite Houchen saying he was "stating the facts."
There have since been calls to halt dredging for the new Teesside freeport pending a full analysis of the situation. In a letter to the parliamentary Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee, fisheries minster Mark Spencer said an independent groups would be established to assess the evidence around the incident and consider all explanations, including algal blooms, dredging and pyridine.
Professor Gideon Henderson, DEFRA's chief scientific adviser would liaise with the Government chief scientist Sir Patrick Vallance, to establish the independent group. They would consider the findings of the DEFRA-led investigation published in May 2022 and subsequent analysis from university researchers.
Mr Spencer said: "I recognise fishing communities in the North East want as thorough an assessment as possible into the crab and lobster deaths last year. Defra’s investigation concluded that the most likely cause was an algal bloom, but we have always recognised this is a complex area of science and have remained open to further research.
"That’s why it is right that all the evidence is now assessed by independent experts and I look forward to receiving their advice."
Professor Henderson said: "The death of a large number of crustaceans last year in North East England was unusual. The causes have been assessed, informed with a wide range of measurements, by Government agencies and by university researchers, with more than one explanation put forward to explain the deaths.
"The increased sea life mortality has important consequences for local communities and it is important we understand its cause."
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