River Lagan 'major' fish kill reported

Image caption, The incident was reported at Thornyford Bridge in Dromore on Tuesday evening
  • Author, Louise Cullen
  • Role, 大象传媒 NI Agriculture & Environment Correspondent

Anglers in County Down have described a fish kill on the River Lagan as "major".

Staff from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) are on the river counting the number of dead fish.

The stretch of river at Thornyford Bridge, Dromore, is known for its wild brown trout fishing.

The bodies of well-grown trout are floating on the surface of the water, while stickleback can be seen in the silt on the riverbed.

Image caption, Water samples have been taken for analysis

Gudgeon and stone loach are also thought to have been killed.

The incident was reported to NIEA at about 19:27 BST on Tuesday.

Officers from the agency have taken samples of the water for analysis.

Image caption, Gary Houston, from Iveagh Angling Club, said the river was still recovering from a pollution incident in 2016

A spokesperson said: "NIEA are currently working with inland fisheries colleagues to assess the extent of the environmental impact on the waterway."

Iveagh Angling Club, which manages this stretch of the water, said the area was still recovering from a pollution incident in 2006.

Members had been working to aid the recovery of fish after the previous incident, introducing tonnes of gravel to help them spawn in the water.

Gary Houston, from the club, said members were devastated.

"It's a terrible loss for the club," he said.

"This fish kill is very devastating for the club - it's most of the club's fishery, so there's really nothing left."