Pollution suspected after local fish kill

AN INVESTIGATION is being carried out by the Inland Fisheries Board to determine the exact cause of a suspicious fish kill in the Tolka River last week.

An estimated 200 fish suddenly died over the space of about 90 minutes along a small stretch of the river between Mulhuddart and Castlecurragh last Tuesday afternoon (August 6).

The incident occurred at about 2pm when passers-by noticed a large amount of fish jumping repeatedly out of the water. By around 3.30pm all the fish were either dead or dying.

Chairman of the Tolka River Environmental Alliance (TREA), Philip Jennings, believes a pollutant, either accidently or neglectfully released into the water, caused the incident.

“People think there’s not many fish in the river but in just that small stretch we saw about 60 dead fish – and that’s just really the trout, it’s not counting all the pinkeens and sticklebacks and all other fish that are there,

? he told Northside People.

“The real sad thing is that they were wild brown trout.

?

TREA works with the Inland Fisheries Board to ensure the river is stocked annually and also educates local children about fish and angling. Mr Jennings is concerned that further incidences of pollution will hamper efforts to promote the river as a valuable local amenity.

“If people see fish floating belly-up in the river they’re going to walk away from it,

? he said.

“A lot of work was just wiped out in about an hour and a half during last week’s incident.

“The terrible thing about the trout killed is that they were almost all wild fish that were at or nearing spawning age. These fish were put into the river by TREA in partnership with the Fisheries Board at unfed-fry or fingerling stage and as part of the Trout in the Classroom project run by Foróige.

“It has taken the river and the fish this long (about eight years) to reach a stage where we have a fairly large, regenerative stock.

“Young members of TREA are continually taught to respect their environment and volunteer leaders put a lot of effort into training young people in how best to maintain the river and its environs. Incidents of pollution like this undermine this work and is completely unacceptable.

?

It’s understood the fish kill was confined to the stretch of river at Mulhuddart known locally as the Pinkeen River and that any pollutant was diluted and washed out to sea.

“Initially I was shocked because I thought whatever caused it might have gone further down the river but I went downstream early the next morning and it hadn’t affected anywhere else further down,

? said Mr Jennings.

“We were very, very lucky. If it had gone further downstream it could have wiped out everything from that point all the way down to Ballybough.

?

Local councillor David McGuinness (FF) said he fully supported the work of TREA and vowed to support them in any way possible.

“I’ve been highlighting for some time the level of pollution, dumping and lack of upkeep along that stretch of the river,

? he told Northside People.

“It’s not just the quality of life for people around the river, it’s the wildlife that’s being damaged too and the issue we’re faced with now is that the fish stock is being affected by that pollution.

“Fingal Council will have to take the lead on looking into the foul water outflow from developments along the river.

?

Cllr McGuinness said he will make the issue a priority at the next Fingal County Council meeting, due to take place later this month.

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said it was aware of the fish kill.

“We are aware of a reported possible pollution incident recently at a tributary of the River Tolka at Mulhuddart,

? a spokesperson said.

“Officials from Fisheries Ireland have investigated this matter and are monitoring the area, and Fingal County Council has at all times been kept briefed.

“Should there be any requirement for any follow up action from Fisheries Ireland we will provide any support necessary.

?

A spokesperson for Inland Fisheries Ireland confirmed that around 200 fish were killed including Minnow, Stickleback and Brown Trout.

“We have taken water samples and are awaiting the results,

? he said.

“Our investigation is ongoing but we are satisfied that the cause of the kill has been contained.

?