A project sponsored by GREENPEACE ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST, as one of 3 studies relating to long term changes in the marine fauna and flora of the coast of NE England. The work was based at the Dove Marine Laboratory, under the overall direction of Dr Stewart Evans. Advice on the identification of the taxa collected and the writing of the report were the responsibility of Dr Peter Garwood of Identichaet (Marine Invertebrate Identification). Infaunal samples were collected from an area of 400 cm2 for sieving through a 1.0 mm mesh, and from an area of 100 cm2 for sieving through a 0.5 mm mesh. Records are available for data from both sampling events in Budle Bay, Cullercoats Bay and Tyne Estuary. Granulometric samples were not taken.