Research and analysis

Joint agency investigation into Teesside and Yorkshire Coast Crab and Lobster mortalities

Defra reports published into dead crabs and lobsters on the north-east coast of England.

Applies to England

Documents

Response to EFRA consideration of sealife mortality off the north-east coast

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Joint agency investigation into Teesside and Yorkshire Coast Crab and Lobster mortalities

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Tees Sediment Toxicity Testing – Opportune ecotoxicology Microtox testing of Tees Bay Disposal Sites

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Fish Health Inspectorate, Cefas, disease investigation into mass mortality in crabs and lobsters on the north-east coast

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Lobster parasite analysis

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Aquatic environments investigation of intertidal decapod mortalities on the north-east coast

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Testing of crab tissue samples for marine neurotoxins

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Testing of crustacean tissue samples associated with NE England mortality events for marine biotoxins

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Testing of crustacean tissue samples associated with NE England mortality events for regulated marine biotoxins – May 2022 samples

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Cefas components of the joint investigation into the crustacean mass mortality in Teesside and North Yorkshire in Autumn 2021

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Environment Agency briefing for Defra – crustacean deaths NE coast, potential radiation cause

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Intertidal decapod survey of the north-east coast – September 2022

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North-east crab mortalities - Environment Agency vessel survey report- 14 - 18 November 2021

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North-east crustacean incident monitoring plan

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Summary of Teesside crab incident investigation, 8 October 2021

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Summary of Teesside crab incident investigation, 25 October 2021

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Details

Between October and December 2021 dead and dying crabs and lobsters were washed ashore in unusually high numbers along parts of the north-east coast of England.

Defra group investigated a range of potential causes, including licensed dredging activity, chemical contamination, activities related to offshore windfarms, presence of algal blooms and aquatic animal disease. No single, consistent causative factor was identified. Exposure to one or multiple algal blooms which were present in the area coincident with the event was identified as of significance, and as the most likely cause of the incident. The incident investigation was closed in February 2022

A summary of our findings was published in May 2022. In November 2022, we published further reports associated with the investigation. Data relating to these reports is also available on data.gov.uk.

Updates to this page

Published 31 May 2022
Last updated 15 November 2022 + show all updates
  1. Published further reports relating to the investigation.

  2. First published.

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