The MP for Scarborough and Whitby has said that recent shellfish deaths have been turned into “a political campaign against the Teesside Freeport”.
Sir Robert Goodwill, has said there is a 99 per cent chance that shellfish deaths on the Yorkshire and North East coast have not been caused by dredging on Teesside.
He's concerned the fishing industry is being given false hope by claims about dredging being responsible for the shellfish deaths.
Local fishermen have said that their livelihoods are at risk due to significantly reduced catches which they blame on dredging in the Tees, and have called on the Government for further testing.
In February, fishermen, business owners and environmental activists staged a major demonstration in Whitby to raise awareness of the thousands of dead shellfish that have been washing up since 2021.
Mr Goodwill, who is also chair of the Environment, Food, Rural Affairs Committee in parliament, said he agreed with the findings of the independent crustacean mortality expert panel, commissioned by the Government, and said that a “novel pathogen” is to blame and added that “pyridine levels found in crabs were not likely to be the cause”.
Sir Robert Goodwill, says claims that dredging was responsible for the shellfish deaths don't stand up to scientific scrutiny and feels the claims are politically motivated.
Conservative North Yorkshire Councillor - David Chance - disagrees
Sir Robert says the independent panel of scientist who were asked to look into the shellfish deaths were very clear that dredging wasn't a factor in the mortality event, something he says has been accepted by the wider scientific community, but he says some politicians are ignoring the science.
Labour Councillor Neil Swannick represents Whitby on North Yorkshire Council, he says that calls for a closer look at dredging activities are not politically motivated.
Many councillors and activists have also made calls for the Government to provide financial support to those affected by the shellfish deaths, but in February, the secretary of state for the environment, Thérèse Coffey, said there was “no question” of specific financial assistance being made available.
However, Mr Goodwill, told the LDRS that
“the Government has been asked to look at whether compensation or some sort of help could be given”.
Asked whether the Government should make financial assistance available to the fishermen, he said:
“We’ve made the point that the Government should look at it and there seems to be a good case for giving some support.”
Alison Hume, who was recently selected by the Labour Party to stand in Scarborough and Whitby at the next election, has said that dredging is likely to blame and has also called for compensation to be given to those affected by the die-offs.
Alison Hume said:
“It is shocking that Ms Coffey has decided the government will take no further action and in addition is refusing to compensate commercial fishers or provide targeted support for other businesses who are directly affected.
“Generations of families on the Yorkshire coast have relied on fishing for their livelihood. Those same families now face an existential crisis.”
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