Inland Fisheries Ireland investigating significant fish kills near Kells and Trim
Inland Fisheries Ireland have released statements regarding recent fish kill incidents near both Kells and Trim.
Their statement regarding the Kells incident reads as follows:
'Inland Fisheries Ireland and its statutory partners are investigating a significant fish kill near Kells in Co Meath where more than 500 brown trout have died.
The incident occurred at a tributary of the Moynalty River north of Kells.
Fish mortalities were observed over a 9km stretch of the river.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) personnel attended the site of the fish kill on Monday August 10th.
IFI is now following a definite line of inquiry into the cause of the incident.
Water samples and fish samples have been taken from the river for analysis.
Members of the public are advised, as a precautionary measure, not to consume any dead fish found at waterways in the area.
IFI is working with other government agencies in line with the new national interagency protocol for investigating significant fish kills, and is the lead agency on this case.
An interagency group met today to discuss the fish kill and included representatives from IFI, Meath County Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, Uisce Éireann, the HSE, and the River Basin Management Service.'
A statement was also released regarding an incident in the Trim area:
'Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and statutory partners are continuing to investigate a significant fish kill in Co. Meath where approximately 900 fish had died.
The incident occurred on the Boycetown River, a tributary of the Boyne River near Trim.
Staff from IFI and Meath County Council attended the impacted location on Wednesday August 5th and on Thursday August 6th, and observed fish mortalities over a 2km stretch of the river.
Species of dead fish included approximately 900 brown trout and a small number of stickleback.
IFI personnel, and staff from Meath County Council and the River Basin Management Service, attended the scene today (Friday, August 7th) and did not find any additional dead fish at the river.
Staff also observed that live fish had already returned to the location where the fish kill occurred.
Water and fish samples taken from the river have been sent for analysis.
IFI has worked with statutory bodies in line with the new national interagency protocol for investigating significant fish kills, and is the lead agency on this case.
An interagency group was convened under the protocol to enable rapid coordination and communication in responding to the Meath incident.
The interagency group held another meeting today to further discuss developments relating to the fish kill.
With the initial investigation concluded, the group has completed its role as the situation appears to have stabilised and does not represent an ongoing threat to fish in the waterbody.
IFI will continue to liaise with relevant agencies involved, and IFI staff will continue to monitor the river over the weekend and into next week.
Members of the public are advised, as a precautionary measure, not to consume any dead fish found at Boycetown River.
IFI urges the public to report instances of fish kills, water pollution, habitat destruction, or illegal fishing to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.'