Panel to investigate North Sea crab deaths

An independent panel is being set up to look into the cause of a mass die-off of crabs and lobsters on North Sea beaches last year, the Government has announced.

Thousands of dead and dying crustaceans washed ashore along parts of the north-east coast of England between October and December 2021.

An investigation by the Environment Department said an algal bloom was the likely cause. But subsequent research by academics, backed by the fishing industry, suggested the incident could have been caused by industrial pollutant pyridine, possibly from dredging in the mouth of the River Tees.