The Parliamentary Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee is to hold a hearing into the deaths of large numbers of shellfish washing up on beaches in the North East of England since October 2021.

The FishFocus website reported that 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. (Picture credit: Chris Combe).

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.”       

The news of the hearing follows reports from last week that a government Minister said that any evidence “should be examined properly”, following the release of a report from a group of universities which found that a toxic chemical is more likely to have caused thousands of crab deaths than natural algae. Fisheries minister Mr Spencer, the Conservative MP for Sherwood, said: “These are credible universities which have carried out that research, we need to take that seriously..….we will listen to any research and any evidence. I think we all want the same outcome which is to stop these crustaceans from dying.”

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.