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

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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.聽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 .

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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