Fresh investigation announced into deaths of thousands of shellfish on Yorkshire Coast
The fishing industry has blamed a chemical linked to dredging, but the government says the deaths were due to algae blooms
Last updated 15th Nov 2022
A fresh investigation is going to be held into the deaths of thousands of shellfish on the North Yorkshire coast last year.
Fishing groups have blamed the deaths on polluting chemicals linked to dredging in the River Tees, but official government reports said they were down to algae blooms.
A university study eventually backed up claims made by the fishing industry, who said the deaths had damaged their trade.
After a hearing in Parliament last month, the Department for Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs is setting up an independent panel to look at conflicting evidence.
Fisheries Minister Mark 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."