Sewage pollution not behind thousands of crustacean deaths off Teeside coast say experts

Environmental experts from a number of organisations have ruled out sewage pollution as the cause behind thousands of dead and dying crabs and lobsters being washed up along the coast in and around Teesside.

Senior marine monitoring officer for the Environment Agency, Hannah Westoby, said: “Our investigations have managed to rule out the likelihood of a number of possible causes, including sewage, seismic activity and underwater cables. Results for our water samples have come back as normal for those locations.”

The Environment Agency is investigating whether a pollution incident could have contributed to the deaths of the crustaceans and Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is investigating for signs that an aquatic animal disease may be behind the deaths.

As well as the Environment Agency, and Cefas, North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, the Marine Management Organisation, Hartlepool Borough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council are collaborating on the investigation.