Glenavy River: Fish Kill

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs – in the Northern Ireland Assembly am 3:15 pm ar 17 Mehefin 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Andrew Muir Andrew Muir Alliance 3:15, 17 Mehefin 2024

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency received a report of pollution affecting several miles of the Glenavy river, County Antrim, at 7.20 pm last Wednesday. Two water quality inspectors were immediately deployed to the area, where they confirmed a fish kill and began an investigation. On Thursday, inspectors returned to the site to continue the investigation, which is ongoing. I met the staff there. On 13 June, DAERA Inland Fisheries staff completed an assessment of the extent of the Glenavy fish kill. The assessment confirmed a major fish kill along a 4-kilometre stretch of the Glenavy river. A total of 522 brown trout of various age classes and one European eel were confirmed to have been killed. If there is any motivator to take action on water pollution, that is it.