New research has revealed that untreated sewage was released into designated shellfish waters for 192,000 hours in England last year. This is a 20% increase from the previous year, which saw 159,000 hours of dirty water pouring into the seas. The analysis of Environment Agency data by the Liberal Democrats, shared with news outlets, found that this sewage dumping occurred in 23,000 separate incidents, averaging to 64 times a day.
The release of untreated sewage poses a significant threat to the environment and wildlife, as well as the fishing industry. The Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson, Tim Farron MP, stated that this is an “environmental scandal” that puts wildlife at risk and calls for urgent action to protect the food we eat and the British fisheries industry.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for an investigation into shellfish water quality, which is supposed to be protected under the Water Framework Directive. They also urge the government to clamp down on polluting companies. Mr. Farron expressed concern for the fishing industry if this trend continues, especially as the upcoming general election approaches.
According to the analysis, South West Water was found to be the worst offender, responsible for 13,000 sewage discharges totaling 98,000 hours, followed by Southern Water with 7,000 discharges for 73,000 hours. In response, Southern Water pointed to the fact that 2023 fell in the wettest 18-month period on record, while South West Water highlighted the high proportion of shellfish waters along its coastline.
Currently, only 9% of shellfish waters in England meet the highest “class A” status, which allows for direct sale of shellfish without purification first. The remaining waters require purification in depuration tanks, which adds to the costs and labor for fishing industry producers. Martin Laity, a native oyster producer from Cornwall, expressed frustration with the situation, calling it a “stitch-up” that hurts their business and provides no compensation.
Joe Redfern, from the Shellfish Association Of Great Britain, highlighted the precarious position of shellfish producers, stating that “just one bad result can shut down their business overnight.” The association is calling for compensation for producers from the fines imposed on water companies for excessive sewage releases.
Water UK, the industry body, acknowledges the challenges faced by coastal communities and businesses and has proposed a £11bn investment to reduce spills into shellfish waters by 2030. The environment department (Defra) has also taken steps to address the issue, including increasing inspections and regulator funding, and considering banning water company bonuses.
In response to the situation, South West Water has announced plans to ensure all shellfish sites in its area meet the government’s target of less than 10 spills per year by 2030. Southern Water also pointed out that shellfish can be infected by other sources such as farming, run-off from roads, boats, marine life, and pesticides. The government has also stated that shellfish sites will be prioritized alongside bathing waters and sites of ecological importance.
