Labour slams government over ‘discredited theory’ for mysterious big crustacean die-off

‘This algal bloom theory was pursued despite warnings from the local fishing industry and by university marine experts,’ says Jim McMahon

The report found industrial toxins are more likely to have caused the deaths than an algal bloom (PA)

Labour has accused the environment secretary of pursuing a “discredited theory” for a big crustacean die-off in the North East.

Shadow environment secretary Jim McMahon has written to his opposite number in government, Therese Coffey, to criticise her department’s theory that algal bloom caused the deaths.

Thousands of dead and dying crustaceans washed ashore along parts of the north-east coast of England between October and December 2021.