Hartlepool fishers investigate mass marine deaths amid collapsing catches

Stan Rennie and other Hartlepool fishers turned to eco-activism after a mass die-off of marine life and steep falls in their catches threatened their livelihoods. Jeanie Finlay’s documentary follows their attempt to establish what caused the deaths, after officials attributed them most likely to an algal bloom and dismissed the fishers’ concerns.

The fishers suspect toxic sediment dredged from the River Tees for the Tees Valley freeport project contributed to the damage. Their independently funded study found evidence of a link to pyridine, a chemical byproduct of steelmaking, though the article presents this as their investigation’s finding. With catches down 80%, high diesel costs and boats for sale, they face financial pressure as they seek answers.