Parliament hearing into shellfish deaths off Yorkshire Coast
There have been conflicting theories about the reasons why since October last year
There is going to be a hearing held today in Parliament looking into the deaths of thousands of shellfish off the Yorkshire Coast.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is holding it at 2.30pm today (Tuesday 25th October).
There have been conflicting theories about the reasons 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 public can watch the hearing on the Parliament website.
Witnesses:
Panel 1, from 2.30pm
• Rachel Hartnell, Science Director, Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science – its website calls the body ‘the government’s marine and freshwater science experts’
• Jerry Hopkinson, Executive Chairman, PD Ports – a port group operating in 12 locations nationwide
• Mark Rice, Deputy Director for Water and Land Quality, Environment Agency
• Trudi Wakelin, Director of Marine Licensing, Marine Management Organisation – government body which aims to ‘protect and enhance’ the marine environment
Panel 2, from c. 3.15pm
• Dr Gary Caldwell, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University
• Tim Deere Jones, Marine Pollution Consultant
• Dr Rodney Forster, Reader in Marine and Coastal Ecology, Hull University
Panel 3, from c. 4.00pm
• David McCandless, Chief Officer, North Eastern Inshore and Fishing Conservation Authority – body responsible, among other things, for monitoring fish stocks in the area
• Joe Redfern, Secretary, Whitby  Commercial Fishing Association 
• Stan Rennie, Fisherman and Chair of Hartlepool Boatmans Association Ltd