Fish kill on 5.5km stretch of Kiltha River, Co. Cork
Press release 14 August 2012
Fish kill on 5.5km stretch of Kiltha River, Co. Cork
Fisheries Environmental Officers at Inland Fisheries Ireland received reports of a fish kill in the Kiltha River in Castlemartyr, Co. Cork from anglers late on Saturday evening 11th August. Due to the timing of the report the investigation was initiated early on Sunday morning revealing that many thousands of brown trout; fry, parr and adults, salmon fry and parr, brook lamprey, stickleback and stone loach were killed. The fish kill affected a 5.5 kilometer section of the Kiltha River from Mogeely downstream to its confluence with the Dower River.
The Kiltha River is an important salmonid spawning and nursery tributary of the Womanagh River which flows east into the sea at Youghal Harbour. This fish kill is particularly disappointing as the Womanagh River, which is currently closed to salmon angling, had been responding well to management and has seen its fish populations increase over the past several years.
The effects of the pollutant which entered the river were quick acting indicating that the pollutant was of a toxic nature. Inland Fisheries Ireland is awaiting test results of water samples to determine the nature of the pollutant. While this analysis is taking place IFI’s investigation into the cause of the kill is continuing with several potential sources being examined.
Members of the public are reminded that Inland Fisheries Ireland operates a confidential 24 hour hotline and suspected illegal fishing or pollution can be reported to 1890 347424.
...ENDS…
Media Enquiries:
Myles Kelly,
Inland Fisheries Ireland, Anglesea Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971;
Email: myles.kelly@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie
Notes to Editor:
Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.
