A major environmental disaster has struck County Tyrone, with over 4,000 fish confirmed dead following a severe pollution incident in the Glenmornan River near Strabane. The Loughs Agency revised the death toll on Tuesday, warning of long-term ecological damage that could leave the river unable to recover.
Local anglers, including Damien Devine of the Dennett Anglers’ Association, have described the situation as a “complete wipeout.” Devine, who has fished in the area for over 30 years, said it was the worst environmental disaster he had ever witnessed.
Urgent Calls for Stronger Environmental Regulations
As investigations continue into the source and scale of the pollution, Devine is calling for stricter regulations and penalties for those responsible for contaminating local waterways.
“These are environmental crimes, yet the fines remain outdated, dating back to the 1970s and 1980s,” he stated. “This was not a slow pollution event, such as agricultural runoff. It was fast-acting and devastating. Even frogs, which could have escaped, were wiped out.”
Deadly Pollutant Identified, Investigation Ongoing
The pollution was first detected last Friday when fishery officers discovered large numbers of dead fish during a routine habitat survey. The species affected include Atlantic salmon, brown trout, European eel, lamprey, flounder, stickleback, and Stoneloach.
Particularly alarming is the loss of over 500 European eels, a species already experiencing a significant population decline. Additionally, more than 20 dead frogs were found, indicating exposure to a highly toxic substance.
Severe Ecological Damage Confirmed
The Loughs Agency has confirmed that the source of pollution has been identified and that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is assessing the extent of water quality degradation.
“All macroinvertebrate species appear to have been completely wiped out, highlighting the severe ecological impact,” a spokesperson from the agency stated.
Local authorities urge the public to report any further fish deaths to the Loughs Agency at +44 (0) 28 71 342100. Anyone discovering dead fish in the area is advised not to touch them and to contact a fishery officer for proper collection.