The rapid decrease in sea life along the North East coast has coincided with “apocalyptic” piles of dead crustaceans washing up along the coastline for the past year. 

The mass wash-ups, first reported in October last year, have led to growing discontent among the fishing industry, with many believing that chemicals disturbed by dredging on the Tees riverbed was responsible for the deaths.

But DEFRA is insistent that a “naturally occurring harmful algal bloom” was the cause of the deaths last year, and stands by its conclusion. 

One year on from the first reports of mass wash-ups The Northern Echo looks at what has happened and the effect it has had on the local industry and area. 

October 2021

First reports of crustaceans washing up along the North East and North Yorkshire coastline

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November 2021

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January 2022

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Fishermen raise concerns over future of industry

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February 2022

First DEFRA report published

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Local campaigners support independent investigation

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April 2022

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May 2022

The Northern Echo speaks to those on the frontline of the fishing crisis

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Mayor moves to deny dredging is responsible

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Fishermen protest against sea life deaths

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Where have wash-ups been reported?

 

June 2022

Redcar's Jacob Young MP raises crustacean crisis in Parliament

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RSPB calls for 'urgent investigation'

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August 2022

Reclaim Our Sea stage link arms protest to highlight the state of our seas

 

 

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The Northern Echo backs campaigners calls

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September 2022

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Walkers report further wash-up of shellfish along the shoreline

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Independent report suggests Pyridine could be cause of deaths

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Channel 4 News investigation exposes crisis on a national scale

 

October 2022

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What is dredging? 

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Extraordinary hearing

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