Vigilance When Making Silage Can Prevent Fish Kills

Press Release 5th July 2011

Following recent fish kills in various river catchments Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has highlighted the need for continued vigilance when making silage and the monitoring of silage making facilities. Even a small amount of silage effluent entering a watercourse can have a rapid and devastating effect on fish and aquatic life. In one recent fish kill over 1000 fish were killed over a 4 kilometre river stretch. Following comprehensive investigations it is suspected that silage effluent was the cause of the fish kill.

To control silage effluent, effluent collection and storage facilities should be checked for leaks and damage. It is essential that there is sufficient storage capacity for silage effluent. The farmer should also ensure that the correct effluent channels are in use and that they remain unblocked. Clean water should be prevented from entering effluent storage facilities.

A conviction for causing pollution under both the Fisheries and Water Pollution Acts can result in (a) on summary conviction, a fine not exceeding €5,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, a fine not exceeding €15,000,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both. Persons convicted of an offence are often liable for cost and expenses incurred during the investigations. In addition to fines under the Water Pollution and Fisheries Acts farmers may also be liable to be penalized grant aid under cross compliance measures.

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Media Enquiries:

Suzanne Campion
Head of Business Development
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Anglesea Street,
Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971;
Email: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie

Notes to Editor

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy 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./p>