BELOW is the latest report into the mass mortality of crabs and lobsters along the Teesside and North Yorkshire Coast.
Compiled by Government and environmental agencies, its publication comes as local fishermen and activists call on the goverment to reopen an investigation into the deaths.
But the last investigation was closed in March, with no immediate plans to reopen it.
Hundreds of dead and dying crabs and lobsters were washed ashore in unusually high numbers along parts of the north-east coast of England between October and December 2021, with the mass devastation continuing this year.
Read more: DEFRA report gives update on sea life deaths in North East
Dying animals were described as “twitching” and displaying lethargic behaviour and the inability to right themselves from on their backs.
A range of potential causes including licensed dredging activity, chemical contamination, activities related to offshore windfarms, presence of algal blooms and aquatic animal disease were investigated. No single, consistent causative factor was identified.
However, a harmful algal bloom present in the area was identified as of significance and the most likely cause.
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