An official investigation is underway following a major fish kill in a County Down river system, according to the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera). The environmental contamination resulted in the deaths of brown and migratory sea trout across the Gransha, Ballystockart, and Inler rivers.
Investigation and Public Report
Daera stated that a member of the public reported the pollution incident on Tuesday at 09:30 GMT. In response, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Daera Inland Fisheries deployed personnel to identify the source of the pollution and finalize the exact count of dead fish.
Impact on Local Wildlife
Glenn McKibbin, secretary of the Inler Angling Club, estimated that approximately 1,000 fish perished in the event, describing the timing and location as the worst possible scenario. McKibbin stated that current and future fish stocks were obliterated for years to come, noting that both resident fish and migratory species returning to spawn had been affected. He added that knock-on effects for other wildlife such as resident kingfishers, herons, and otters were unavoidable, calling the incident soul-destroying for volunteers who had worked to improve the waterway following previous pollution events in 2013 and 2015.
Inler Angling Club Chairperson David Pyper said that witnessing such a massive loss of fish is particularly disappointing for those who dedicate time and effort to caring for the river. The club expressed hope that ongoing investigations will determine the cause of the contamination and ensure necessary measures are taken to protect the waterway and its ecosystem, while urging authorities to direct adequate resources toward improving water quality.
