Independent report

Assessment of unusual crustacean mortality in the north-east of England in 2021 and 2022

An independent expert panel investigating possible causes of mass mortality event affecting crustacean species in the north-east of England in autumn 2021.

Documents

Independent Expert Assessment of Unusual Crustacean Mortality in the north-east of England in 2021 and 2022

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Details

The Crustacean Mortality Expert Panel (CMEP) was set up in response to a mass mortality event affecting crustacean species across the coastline of the north-east of England in autumn 2021.

The CMEP:

  • provided an independent scientific assessment of the possible causes of the mass crustacean mortality incident
  • was chaired by Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) and consisted of independent experts from industry and academia with a range of relevant knowledge and experience
  • was active between December 2022 and January 2023

Evidence

Read the evidence gathered for the assessment.

Published 20 January 2023
Last updated 27 January 2023 + show all updates
  1. We've corrected a measurement of TBT from mg/kg to µg/kg. Section 5.2 on page 35 of the report now reads: 'TBT concentrations in sediments collected in October 2021 (in the channel area described above) ranged from non-detect to 52 µg/kg'.

  2. First published.