Sealife Mortality off the North East Coast

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.