Main pic: A Loughs Agency vehicle close to the stream at Crossroads, Killygordon.
The Loughs Agency has confirmed there have been ‘substantial mortalities’ following yesterday’s pollution of an important River Finn tributary in east Donegal.
This morning we reported that hundreds of young fish were killed as a result of the incident on what is described as a ‘nursery stream’ at Crossroads, Killygordon.
A spokesperson for the Loughs Agency, the cross-border organisation responsible for waterways in the area, said the source allegedly stemmed from a ‘commercial premises.’
“On Tuesday, 12th September, Loughs Agency was alerted to the potential presence of a pollutant into a tributary of the River Finn, allegedly stemming from a commercial premises,” the spokesperson said.
Fishery officers immediately initiated an investigation, where they discovered a discharge of ‘deleterious matter’ had entered the watercourse.
“Substantial fish mortalities were discovered in the river on Tuesday evening, as well as during searches on the morning of Wednesday, 13th September. Samples were collected from the discharge for analysis.
“Loughs Agency has committed significant resources into the clean-up operation, with Fishery Officers actively working to help ensure additional fish mortalities are mitigated as best as possible. We will have resources at the site of the incident until the investigation is complete.”
Donegal Daily understands that hundreds of trout and baby salmon have been lost.
Young salmon had only recently returned to the stream, which is just over a kilometre from the Finn, following decades of pollution. The last major contamination incident there was in October, 2013.
The Finn is considered to be one of the best wild salmon fishing rivers in Europe. It is not yet known if it has been affected by the latest incident.
The spokesperson urged anyone who discovers a dead fish in the area to leave it and contact the Loughs Agency directly on 0044 28 71 342100 to arrange collection with a Fishery Officer.
The agency has confirmed that a further update will be provided in due course.
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