Inland Fisheries Ireland statement re fish kill at River Allow, Co. Cork
Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) is continuing to investigate a major fish kill in Co. Cork in which at least 5,000 fish have died.
The pollution incident occurred on the River Allow, a tributary of the Munster Blackwater catchment at Freemount, north county Cork.
It occurred in a Special Area of Conservation, and the location is a noted spawning habitat for fish.
IFI officers are still attempting to determine the scale of the kill, with fish mortalities observed up to four kilometres downstream of the source location.
Species of fish discovered dead include juvenile Atlantic salmon, brown trout, lamprey, eel, stone loach, roach, and dace.
Inland Fisheries Ireland staff have been on site again today to investigate the pollution event, and assess the extent of the impact on the local environment.
Water samples have been taken from the river to gather evidence of the discharge, and source point of contamination, to advance any potential prosecution.
The river supports a population of freshwater pearl mussel, as well as being an abundant salmon and trout habitat.
IFI - the State agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats - continues to urge the public to report instances of fish kills, water pollution, habitat destruction, or illegal fishing to our confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.
