New research has claimed that the deaths of thousands of crabs and lobsters washed up on North Sea beaches are more likely to have been caused by "industrial toxins" than an algal bloom.
Between October and December 2021, a mass die-off of marine life on the North East coastline from Seaham to Whitby saw crustaceans washed ashore, with the 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.
Earlier this year, A spokesperson for the Department for Environment (DEFRA) said that their "thorough investigation" had concluded a "natural occurring harmful algal bloom" was the most likely cause of the deaths. Seismic activity and issues connected to wind turbines were also looked into as possible causes of death.
