Just tell us what killed the crabs

After mass marine deaths at Teesside Freeport, Darlington and Westminster alike have been less than forthcoming about what really happened. Are they covering up a disaster - or preparing for another?

By Natalie Morris, first published 22 February 2024

In 2021, a so-called ‘mass crustacean mortality event’ hit the coastline of Teesside. Thousands of crabs and lobsters washed up dead on the beach, with experts suggesting it could take up to a decade for the ecosystem to stabilise. The impact has been devastating, not just on the environment, but also o…