Select Committee · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Sealife Mortality off the North East Coast
Status: Closed
Opened: 11 Oct 2022
Closed: 9 Nov 2023
Inquiry scope
The Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee is to hold a hearing into the deaths of large numbers of crustaceans off the Yorkshire coast since October 2021. There have been conflicting theories about the reason for the deaths of the crabs and lobsters. The Government has attributed the cause to a marine ‘algal bloom’, while others have argued that the phenomenon is caused by pollution linked to dredging. The session will look at the different explanations for the cause of the deaths, what can be done to prevent a recurrence and its impact on local communities. The Chair of the EFRA Committee, Scarborough and Whitby MP Sir Robert Goodwill, said: “We need to establish what is causing these disturbing events. “They have implications for coastal communities in North Yorkshire and Teesside – not least, of course, those engaged in or dependent on the fishing industry. But there could also be wider environmental and economic implications with lessons to be learned.” Parties wishing to share information with the Committee about this issue are asked to email the Committee at efracom@parliament.uk by Friday 14 October. The session will be held on Tuesday 25 October – the exact time and location will be published in due course.Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Oct 2022 |
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
David McCandless · North Eastern Inshore and Fishing Conservation Authority,
Dr Gary Caldwell · Newcastle University,
Dr Rodney Forster · Hull Univeristy,
Jerry Hopkinson · PD Ports,
Joe Redfern · Whitby Commercial Fishing Association,
Mark Rice · Environment Agency,
Rachel Hartnell · Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science,
Stan Rennie · Whitby Commercial Fishing Association /North East Fishing Collective,
Tim Deere Jones, Marine Pollution Consultant,
Trudi Wakelin · Marine Management Organisation (MMO)
|
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Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| David McCandless · Chief Officer | North Eastern Inshore and Fishing Conservation Authority | 1 |
| Dr Gary Caldwell · Senior Lecturer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences | Newcastle University | 1 |
| Dr Rodney Forster · Reader in Marine and Coastal Ecology | Hull Univeristy | 1 |
| Jerry Hopkinson · Executive Chairman | PD Ports | 1 |
| Joe Redfern · Secretary | Whitby Commercial Fishing Association | 1 |
| Mark Rice · Deputy Director for Water & Land Quality | Environment Agency | 1 |
| Rachel Hartnell · Science Director | Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science | 1 |
| Stan Rennie · Fisherman | Whitby Commercial Fishing Association /North East Fishing Collective | 1 |
| Tim Deere Jones, Marine Pollution Consultant | — | 1 |
| Trudi Wakelin · Director of Licensing, Marine Planning and Global Marine | Marine Management Organisation (MMO) | 1 |
Correspondence
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