‘Significant’ fish kill reported on Six Mile Water in County Antrim.
A large number of dead fish have been found in the Six Mile Water river near Ballyclare, County Antrim, according to reports from the BBC.
Members of the Six Mile Water Trust (SMWT) said they had observed “numerous” fish in distress and “significant” numbers of dead trout being washed downstream. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) confirmed that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is investigating the incident.
The Six Mile Water, one of the main rivers flowing into Lough Neagh, has experienced several major fish kills in recent years. Jim Gregg of the SMWT told the BBC that recent heavy rain from Storm Amy had made the river fast-moving, which may have helped disperse pollution.
He estimated that “well over 100 very large trout” had been found dead, along with smaller fish. “This time of year is when the salmon and trout come to find spawning grounds,” he said. “To have this happen is just absolutely devastating, and it’s not the first time.”
A spokesperson for Daera told the BBC that at 12:15 BST on Monday, the NIEA “received a report of water pollution, indicating the presence of a number of dead fish, in the Six Mile Water River at Ballyclare, County Antrim”. An inspector was deployed to assess the environmental impact, and the investigation remains ongoing.
