Thousands more dead fish following pollution incident

The number of fish confirmed killed in a pollution incident in County Tyrone has risen to more than 4,000.

The Loughs Agency confirmed the revised figure on Tuesday as anglers warned that the Glenmornan river in Artigarvan, near Strabane, may never recover from the fish kill.

Damien Devine, from Dennett Anglers' Association, described it as a "complete wipe-out" and the worst he had experienced in more than 30 years of fishing.

As investigations continue into the source and extent of the pollution - and the amount of long-term environmental damage caused - Mr Devine said the oversight of our rivers needed a "complete overhaul".

He also called for greater fines for those who pollute rivers, killing fish and marine life.

"These really are environmental crimes at the end of the day and the fines are something out of the 1970s and 1980s," he said, adding that the fish kill was "heart breaking".

"The one thing that stands out for me is - this was hard-hitting, it was fast, it wasn't that slower-type pollution event that would be organic - for example, spreading slurry on lands or something like that," he said.

"As someone said to me, the frogs which have legs couldn't even get away, that's how hard-hitting this was, he said the frogs were even wiped out as well along it [the river].

"Genetically, what's gone in that river over the weekend last Friday, is gone and it's gone forever."

The incident was detected on Friday when fishery officers found large numbers of dead fish during a routine habitat survey in the area.

They included Atlantic salmon, brown trout, European eel, lamprey, flounder, stickleback and Stoneloach.

"Of particular concern is the loss of over 500 European eels, a species already in sharp population decline," the Loughs Agency said.

"Additionally, the discovery of more than 20 dead frogs suggests the presence of a highly potent pollutant."

The agency said the source of the pollution had been identified and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) was assessing the impact on water quality.

A spokesperson said: "All macroinvertebrate species appear to have been completely lost, highlighting the severe ecological impact.

"Anyone who discovers dead fish in the area is advised not to touch anything, and instead contact Loughs Agency directly on +44 (0) 28 71 342100 to arrange collection with a fishery officer."