Home / Environment / Anglers Fear Massive Fish Kill After Spill
Anglers Fear Massive Fish Kill After Spill
6 May
Summary
- Hundreds of young salmon may have died due to an agricultural spill.
- Pollution threatens juvenile salmon crucial for future river stocks.
- Spill occurred upstream of a drinking water abstraction point.
An agricultural spill into Tievenny Burn, a tributary of the Derg River in County Tyrone, has raised alarms among local anglers, who fear it has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of young salmon. The pollution was detected this morning and is situated a short distance upstream from a drinking water abstraction point.
This incident is occurring at a highly sensitive time for the juvenile salmon, known as smolts, as they prepare to migrate to sea. Anglers are concerned that the pollution could have devastating consequences for the already declining salmon numbers in the River Mourne, potentially wiping out future generations.
Officials from the Loughs Agency have been present at the scene to assess the damage. The Derg River is a vital waterway for salmon spawning and is also recognized for its brown trout and sea trout populations. Calls for stricter penalties for such spills have been made, with warnings that they could pose a public health risk.
