Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
226. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the fact that 2,000 fish were found dead at Ballymacraven river in North Clare recently; the cause of this kill; the actions taken to resolve the matter; what if any further action is envisioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28381/23]
View answerA serious pollution incident, resulting in a significant fish kill, occurred in last month on the Ballymacraven river, a tributary of the Inagh river in west Clare that flows into the Atlantic at Lahinch. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) responded quickly to having being alerted to initial reports of heavily discoloured water by a member of the public.
IFI immediately moved to an investigation phase including sampling related to the incident. IFI are currently awaiting results from the last of these samples. Interviews under caution have been carried out by IFI and a file and book of evidence is being prepared with a view to undertaking a prosecution. Neither I nor IFI can comment further at this time.
The Ballymacraven river is important spawning habitat for Atlantic salmon and for juvenile and adult European eel, both of which are highly vulnerable, whose stock status has generally been impacted by habitat loss, pollution and climate changes in recent years. This type of pollution incident which resulted in a very significant loss of freshwater fish is not acceptable and every effort is being made to bring those responsible for this fish kill to account.
IFI is extremely proactive in its efforts to prevent pollution incidents and over the period 2019-22, carried out some 113,000 environmental inspections. These inspections included agricultural, industrial, wastewater and water treatment locations, civil engineering and infrastructure projects, forestry plantations and habitats as part of preventative measures to avoid pollution incidents on our rivers and lakes.
