Protesters gather on Saltburn Pier over crustacean 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, but locals say immediate action is needed “to halt the continued decimation if our North East waters”.

On Saturday night people joined campaigners Reclaim Our Seas to form a wave of light along the pier to symbolise the sea and its importance to the eco-system and North East fishing industry.

Marine-themed beach art was also on display on the beach, illuminated by mobile phone lights, lanterns and fairy lights.

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

An official investigation into the wash-up incident in October 2021, led by the Environment Department (Defra), concluded an algal bloom as the likely cause, and  it was unlikely that dredging, chemical or sewage pollution or animal disease had been the 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 to maintain channels for port traffic.

There have been calls for a halt to dredging for the new Teesside freeport pending a full analysis of the situation.

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

Protest at Saltburn Pier Picture: Paul Norris (Image: Paul Norris)

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