MORE support should be given to fishermen suffering on the east coast following the deaths of thousands of crustaceans.

That’s the view of Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham in the wake of investigations into the devastating wildlife losses. 

Huge piles of dead and dying crabs and lobsters began to wash up along the coast at Seaton Carew, South Gare, Redcar, Marske and Saltburn last October.

Defra – the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs – published findings of a subsequent probe into the deaths last week which said an algal bloom in the North Sea was responsible for the worrying event. 

But the results have been disputed by fishermen and an independent marine expert – who maintains a chemical called pyridine was present in high levels in the dead creatures.

Mr Cunningham said he’d read the Defra report and was “content for the findings” in the scientific paper. 

He added: “It doesn’t appear to be the other chemical problem as far as that report is concerned. It’s going to be something they have to keep under review if we get a recurrence of this. The point I was making is that while this may be a natural occurrence, the fishermen up and down the North-east coast have lost out considerably.

“The government needs to look at how they help them over this period of time.” 

Conservative Teesside MPs Jacob Young and Simon Clarke saw the algal bloom as the leading theory after talks with scientists and Defra officials last week. 

Mr Clarke added: “I am assured that this incredibly unusual and alarming event was a result of rare but naturally occurring phenomena.” 

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen also said the investigation had ruled out Teesworks and work at the freeport as causes for the deaths.

He said: “While it shouldn’t be dismissed, the alternative report does not outweigh the official report carried out.”

More than 50 people including those from fishing associations, angling societies, and conservationists met last week with concerns about the impacts of the death. 

A statement from the North East Commercial Fishing Collective added: “Our incomes have been slashed, our livelihoods under threat and our environments eroded.”

The group also branded the algal bloom theory “utter rubbish” after commissioning a separate report.  

When it came to helping the fisherman who were suffering, Mr Cunningham believed a support package was the answer.

The MP added: “Sadly, I’m told the minister’s attitude was this was a natural occurrence and we don’t compensate people for suffering that happens in nature. 

“That’s an easy out for the government – I think they should be stepping back and seeing this has seriously impacted fishermen from Whitby to north of Teesside.

“They really ought to step in and make sure they don’t go down as a result of this problem.”

A Defra spokesman said: “We are not currently considering financial support but will continue to engage with affected fishermen and their representatives, including the Whitby Commercial Fishing Association.”