Fishermen affected by an ongoing crisis caused by mass mortalities along the North East cost hope to raise £5,000 to support their campaign.
Dead and dying crabs and lobsters were first spotted in unusually high numbers along parts of the North East coast of England in 2021, with the mass devastation continuing this year.
Those affected by the crisis, first reported in October 2021, have now announced their intention to begin a legal campaign and are calling for a judicial review into the government’s handling of the crisis.
An online fundraiser has now been set up as part of their campaign and it is hoped funds raised will go towards protecting the local coastline and legal fees.
Read more: Fishermen launch legal action over North East fishing deaths
A range of potential causes including licensed dredging activity, chemical contamination, presence of algal blooms and aquatic animal disease were investigated – but 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. Yet activists and local fishermen continue to dispute the official explanation behind the mortality.
A message posted on the fundraiser page reads: “Since the start of October 2021 our coastline has been affected by dead and dying animals.
“Our fishing communities have been dramatically impacted with reduced catches and income.
“Our marine ecosystems have faced ecocide. Help us investigate the truth and ensure this NEVER happens again. The livelihoods, communities and ways of life is under threat and could be lost or drastically reduced.
“Our rich heritage of fishing along the coast is under threat. The government agencies are not doing enough to investigate the issues and to support the fishing industry and communities.
“We need your help to support our fight for justice and resolution. You support will go towards legal fees, independent investigations and support for the worst affected. Stick with us to continue to fight for all our futures.”
The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says a judicial review has not been launched but it is aware of potential forthcoming legal action.
A spokeswoman added: “Defra led a comprehensive investigation into the cause of dead crabs and lobsters that washed up on the North East coast between October and December last year.
“Government scientists carried out extensive testing for chemicals and other pollutants including pyridine but concluded a naturally occurring algal bloom was the most likely cause.
"The amount of any chemical needed to cause a mortality event of this scale would have had to be huge and could not have escaped detection in the extensive sampling carried out at the time. Chemical pollution was therefore ruled out as a likely cause for the incident.”
Donations to the fundraiser can be made here.
Read next:
- Mysterious killer continues to wipe out North East sea life
- North East fishermen stage protest over mass sea life deaths
- Anger over DEFRA report into North East sea life deaths
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