North East Fishing Collective
REJECT ALGAL BLOOM AS CAUSE OF MASS MORTALITY OF CRABS & LOBSTERS
PUBLISH INDEPENDANT REPORT
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published - 3 February 2022
Published - 3 February 2022
↑ - Results of investigation point to a naturally occurring harmful algal bloom being the cause. - ↑
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Press Release
NORTHEAST FISHING COLLECTIVE REJECT ALGAL BLOOM AS CAUSE OF MASS MORTALITY OF CRABS & LOBSTERS
PUBLISH IDEPENDANT REPORT
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Northeast Fishing Collective
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PRESS RELEASE
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04.02.2022
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NORTHEAST FISHING COLLECTIVE REJECT ALGAL BLOOM AS CAUSE. PUBLISH IDEPENDANT REPORT
We are a collective of commercial fishing associations, angling societies and stakeholders along the Northeast coast. We have been dramatically impacted by the recent events. Our incomes have been slashed, our livelihoods under threat and our environments eroded.
Today we release an independent investigation into the mass mortality events affecting our coastline.
The report has been written by Tim Deere-Jones, an independent marine pollution consultant who has 30 years’ experience investigating marine pollution events around the world. Using freedom of information requests Tim assimilates the cause of the mass mortalities and links to a specific chemical (pyridine).
Pyridine is a hazardous chemical with various uses in industry, agriculture and antifouling for marine vessels. Pyridine is released into the environment as a waste product from industrial processes such as steel manufacture, processing of oil shale, coal gas production, coking plants and incinerators and from marine antifouling and anticorrosion applications.
Environmental agency results show in the table below show the pyridine concentration between control samples and samples taken in the impacted area. The results show a vastly increased level of pyridine contractions which are well in excess of dangerous levels.
We are a collective of commercial fishing associations, angling societies and stakeholders along the Northeast coast. We have been dramatically impacted by the recent events. Our incomes have been slashed, our livelihoods under threat and our environments eroded.
Today we release an independent investigation into the mass mortality events affecting our coastline.
The report has been written by Tim Deere-Jones, an independent marine pollution consultant who has 30 years’ experience investigating marine pollution events around the world. Using freedom of information requests Tim assimilates the cause of the mass mortalities and links to a specific chemical (pyridine).
Pyridine is a hazardous chemical with various uses in industry, agriculture and antifouling for marine vessels. Pyridine is released into the environment as a waste product from industrial processes such as steel manufacture, processing of oil shale, coal gas production, coking plants and incinerators and from marine antifouling and anticorrosion applications.
Environmental agency results show in the table below show the pyridine concentration between control samples and samples taken in the impacted area. The results show a vastly increased level of pyridine contractions which are well in excess of dangerous levels.
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The attached report details how dredging has caused resuspension of polluted sediments in the marine environment. The UKD Orca hopper dredger conducted a years’ worth of dredging in ten days, dropping 250,000 tonnes of sediment on the spoil grounds 2 miles out to sea. This has increased the bio-availability of any chemical, heavy metal or hydrocarbon pollutants attached to the sediments. More details in the report attached.
On Monday 31st January we released the independent marine pollution report to the agencies (Env’ agency, DEFRA, CEFAS, MMO, NEIFCA) giving them 5 days to reply (appendix 1). Yesterday, we received notification of a press release from DEFRA.
The response we received pointed towards the cause as an algal bloom. Here we outlined various reasons we do not believe this to be a plausible explanation and suggest there is no evidence to support the hypothesis that the Mass Mortality was caused by any form of algal blooming (appendix 1).
Chair of Whitby Commercial Fishing Association
James Cole
07774 757375
Secretary of Whitby Commercial Fishing Association
Joe Redfern
[email protected]
079656 42884
Stan Rennie (Hartlepool)
[email protected]
Tim Deere-Jones if available for press contact:
[email protected]
07962 960 635
APPENDIX 1
DEFRA/CEFAS EVIDENCE: The evidenced released from DEFRA suggesting the algal bloom theory is incomplete.
TEMPERATURE: Karenia blooms are reported to require high temps, fine calm weather, calm sea. US reporting of the Cape Cod incident noted that the optimal temperature range for Karenia mikimotoi is between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (20°C and 24°C). Karenia mikimotoi blooms in Ireland were reported to commence in late May and die off through August. End of September/early October water temps in North Sea are likely too low for Karenia spp to survive in heavy concentrations
TIME: First reports of mass mortalities were 4th October 2021. Reports of intoxicated, weak and trembling crustaceans have been reported well past the 4th October. Most recent reports were 02.02.2022 at Maske beach with multiple reports in late December.
WATER COLOUR: Stan Rennie a well-established fisherman for Hartlepool has been reporting industrial rust and debris blown into the water. He has recorded and reported many occurrences of this happening. The Env’ agency have co-opted the photos as evidence for algal blooms. “The cause of the water isn't algae- it is scrap dust in the water, this happens every time a scrap boat is loaded in the port, has been reported to the E.A. many, many times, and is just one of many cargoes dropped into the water and on calm days, floats on the surface, and is taken South, out to the Tees on Flood tides, or Northwards on the Ebb - as the photos I provided showed. but have been conveniently not used by them!”
EMPERICAL EVIDENCE: Our group consists of fishers along the length of the Northeast coast. Many with generational experiences and knowledge in the local marine environment, fisheries, and meteorological influences. Hundreds collective years of knowledge and experience and no one along the coast has seen any evidence of algal blooms.
Appendix 2
Dear agencies, authorities and councillors,
During a meeting on the 18th November 2021 we (a group of commercial fishing associations, angling societies and stakeholders) were told by NEIFCA Chief (David McCandless) and Deputy Chief (Ian Davies) "you will never be satisfied with the government [DEFRA, CEFAS, MMO and NEIFCA] investigations therefore you [our group] should collect your own data and conduct your own research."
We carried out this suggestion and commissioned an independent marine pollution consultant (Tim Deere-Jones) in December 2021. Tim Deere-Jones* has experience researching marine pollution in the Tees, previously releasing a review of sediment and pollution in 2007.
After an internal meeting was held on the 29th January we have decided to share the final report with yourselves as the agencies investigating the incidents and other relevant stakeholders. Tim has produced the report independently using information supplied by the agencies via Freedom of Information (FoI) requests.
The report (see attached) outlines Tim's conclusions on the substance and causation of the incidents.
The failure to identify the substance and investigate it further is inexplicable and does not accord with the highest standards of science and incident investigation expected of the Agencies entrusted with the safe keeping and sound management of the UKs coastal waters.
The failures have threatened our environment, communities, industry and livelihoods.
We want to know:-
1) Why further investigations were not conducted by the agencies in receipt of the crab samples showing high levels of pyridine.
2) If dredging activities will be halted IMMEDIATELY in the Tees until further investigations can rule out any hazardous impact of the dredging.
3) How the stock levels of European lobster (Homarus gammarus) and Edible crab (Cancer pagurus) have been impacted within the impact areas of the district.
We demand that urgent action is taken and an adequate response to the report and our questions is given by Friday 4th February at the latest.
Many news agencies have shown keen interest in the incidents, the impact on our livelihoods and the ongoing investigations. We have NOT yet shared any details of the report with the press.
If an adequate response outlining the urgent actions to be taken by the agencies is not received by 5pm on the 4th February we see no other option than to share the report with the press.
Our members feel we have a moral obligation to ensure the food we produce is safe for human consumption. In the event of further inaction from the agencies we have no other choice than to escalate our actions and ensure our customers and communities are safe.
This email will be monitored for your prompt correspondence.
On Monday 31st January we released the independent marine pollution report to the agencies (Env’ agency, DEFRA, CEFAS, MMO, NEIFCA) giving them 5 days to reply (appendix 1). Yesterday, we received notification of a press release from DEFRA.
The response we received pointed towards the cause as an algal bloom. Here we outlined various reasons we do not believe this to be a plausible explanation and suggest there is no evidence to support the hypothesis that the Mass Mortality was caused by any form of algal blooming (appendix 1).
Chair of Whitby Commercial Fishing Association
James Cole
07774 757375
Secretary of Whitby Commercial Fishing Association
Joe Redfern
[email protected]
079656 42884
Stan Rennie (Hartlepool)
[email protected]
Tim Deere-Jones if available for press contact:
[email protected]
07962 960 635
APPENDIX 1
DEFRA/CEFAS EVIDENCE: The evidenced released from DEFRA suggesting the algal bloom theory is incomplete.
TEMPERATURE: Karenia blooms are reported to require high temps, fine calm weather, calm sea. US reporting of the Cape Cod incident noted that the optimal temperature range for Karenia mikimotoi is between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (20°C and 24°C). Karenia mikimotoi blooms in Ireland were reported to commence in late May and die off through August. End of September/early October water temps in North Sea are likely too low for Karenia spp to survive in heavy concentrations
TIME: First reports of mass mortalities were 4th October 2021. Reports of intoxicated, weak and trembling crustaceans have been reported well past the 4th October. Most recent reports were 02.02.2022 at Maske beach with multiple reports in late December.
WATER COLOUR: Stan Rennie a well-established fisherman for Hartlepool has been reporting industrial rust and debris blown into the water. He has recorded and reported many occurrences of this happening. The Env’ agency have co-opted the photos as evidence for algal blooms. “The cause of the water isn't algae- it is scrap dust in the water, this happens every time a scrap boat is loaded in the port, has been reported to the E.A. many, many times, and is just one of many cargoes dropped into the water and on calm days, floats on the surface, and is taken South, out to the Tees on Flood tides, or Northwards on the Ebb - as the photos I provided showed. but have been conveniently not used by them!”
EMPERICAL EVIDENCE: Our group consists of fishers along the length of the Northeast coast. Many with generational experiences and knowledge in the local marine environment, fisheries, and meteorological influences. Hundreds collective years of knowledge and experience and no one along the coast has seen any evidence of algal blooms.
Appendix 2
Dear agencies, authorities and councillors,
During a meeting on the 18th November 2021 we (a group of commercial fishing associations, angling societies and stakeholders) were told by NEIFCA Chief (David McCandless) and Deputy Chief (Ian Davies) "you will never be satisfied with the government [DEFRA, CEFAS, MMO and NEIFCA] investigations therefore you [our group] should collect your own data and conduct your own research."
We carried out this suggestion and commissioned an independent marine pollution consultant (Tim Deere-Jones) in December 2021. Tim Deere-Jones* has experience researching marine pollution in the Tees, previously releasing a review of sediment and pollution in 2007.
After an internal meeting was held on the 29th January we have decided to share the final report with yourselves as the agencies investigating the incidents and other relevant stakeholders. Tim has produced the report independently using information supplied by the agencies via Freedom of Information (FoI) requests.
The report (see attached) outlines Tim's conclusions on the substance and causation of the incidents.
The failure to identify the substance and investigate it further is inexplicable and does not accord with the highest standards of science and incident investigation expected of the Agencies entrusted with the safe keeping and sound management of the UKs coastal waters.
The failures have threatened our environment, communities, industry and livelihoods.
We want to know:-
1) Why further investigations were not conducted by the agencies in receipt of the crab samples showing high levels of pyridine.
2) If dredging activities will be halted IMMEDIATELY in the Tees until further investigations can rule out any hazardous impact of the dredging.
3) How the stock levels of European lobster (Homarus gammarus) and Edible crab (Cancer pagurus) have been impacted within the impact areas of the district.
We demand that urgent action is taken and an adequate response to the report and our questions is given by Friday 4th February at the latest.
Many news agencies have shown keen interest in the incidents, the impact on our livelihoods and the ongoing investigations. We have NOT yet shared any details of the report with the press.
If an adequate response outlining the urgent actions to be taken by the agencies is not received by 5pm on the 4th February we see no other option than to share the report with the press.
Our members feel we have a moral obligation to ensure the food we produce is safe for human consumption. In the event of further inaction from the agencies we have no other choice than to escalate our actions and ensure our customers and communities are safe.
This email will be monitored for your prompt correspondence.
Support our fishing communities
Weʼre raising £10,000 to help fund investigations and legal fees for the fishing communities of the North East
In my opinion
In my opinion an event such as an algal bloom would of reached national & local news agencies ie BBC & ITV - did it - No.
Local fishermen ie trawlermen, coblemen, long liners, shellfish fishermen would of reported such an event - did they - No.
Swimmers, surfers, paddle boarders would of been warned to avoid the sea by the Environmental Agency - were they - No.
Dog walkers etc would of been told to avoid local beaches, as above, No. [they were once the crabs were washed up].
Algal bloom would of been highly visible from the sky - no reports from airline pilots, nor drone fliers, nor microlights etc.
No photographs of this 'DEFRA algal bloom' made social media, compare that to the numbers of photographs of the piles of dead crabs & lobsters on local north east beaches on Facebook, Instagram, and local news outlets. We live in a media driven society.
You can draw your own conclusions.
Tight lines
Peter
Local fishermen ie trawlermen, coblemen, long liners, shellfish fishermen would of reported such an event - did they - No.
Swimmers, surfers, paddle boarders would of been warned to avoid the sea by the Environmental Agency - were they - No.
Dog walkers etc would of been told to avoid local beaches, as above, No. [they were once the crabs were washed up].
Algal bloom would of been highly visible from the sky - no reports from airline pilots, nor drone fliers, nor microlights etc.
No photographs of this 'DEFRA algal bloom' made social media, compare that to the numbers of photographs of the piles of dead crabs & lobsters on local north east beaches on Facebook, Instagram, and local news outlets. We live in a media driven society.
You can draw your own conclusions.
Tight lines
Peter
Published - Sunday 6th February 2022
Last edit - Monday 7th February 2022
Last edit - Monday 7th February 2022