Stormont concern at fish kill

Stormont concern at fish kill

19 October 2016

AN influential Stormont committee has expressed concern about a recent fish kill at one of the district’s most popular rivers.

Several thousand sea trout and salmon were killed in a major pollution incident at the Carrigs River in Newcastle following a chemical spill at a sewage treatment plant in Annsborough.

Anglers fear the incident has damaged the river’s delicate ecology and that it could take the waterway and fish stocks years to recover. 

A major investigation has been launched by the Environment Agency to discover why the chemical accidentally leaked from the treatment plant into the Annsborough River which flows into the Carrigs River. NI Water has apologised for the incident.

The fish kill — which occurred during the spawning season — was discussed by members of the Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee who expressed “concern and disappointment” so many fish were killed.

Committee chairwoman Linda Dillon said the incident was the second serious fish kill in Northern Ireland in a matter of months.

“As a Committee, we remain deeply concerned that not enough is being done to protect our local rivers and waterways,” the MLA declared.

“The Annsborough River is an important tributary for local anglers and this latest incident could have very damaging long term effects for fishing in the area as well as the future health of the river and the surrounding natural environment as a whole.

“While we welcome the fact that NI Water has taken responsibility and acted quickly to halt the discharge into the river and to initiate the clean-up operation, it is crucial that the necessary remedial measures and regular checks are put in place to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.”

Ms Dillon said ensuring the quality of lakes and rivers was of paramount importance to everyone and called on the Environment Agency to identify how and why this particular spill took place. 

She added: “We are also asking that the Committee is kept fully informed with regards the outcome of the Agency’s investigation and of all recommended procedures and processes to prevent future spills.”

Concerned anglers are also demanding urgent action is taken to ensure something like this never happens again, with a number suggesting legal action could be taken against NI Water. 

Shimna Angling Club officials Ian Watts and Ed Kilgore described the fish kill as “very concerning” and warned that incidents of this nature must end.

Both men fear it could take years for the rivers affected by the chemical spill to fully recover.