Government Committee to Hold Hearing on Yorkshire Coast Crustacean Deaths

Friday, 14 October 2022 13:07

The Environment Food and Rural Affairs 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.”

Councillor Janet Jefferson, Scarborough Borough Council cabinet member for corporate resources said:

“I welcome the news that the government’s Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee is to hold a hearing into the issues surrounding cases of shellfish mortality off the North East and Yorkshire coast.

“I support the fishing industry’s calls for more scrutiny of the possible causes and I hope the committee pushes for full openness and transparency during its hearing.”

The session will be held on Tuesday 25 October, anyone wishing to share information with the Committee about this issue are asked to email the Committee at efracom@parliament.uk by the end of today (Friday 14 October).