FISH KILLS

Board Officers investigated a total of 17 fish kills during the year representing a very notable reduction from 42 in 2001. Many of these reported kills were minor and involved very little mortality but significant kills occurred on the River Lagan, Corcrain River, Ballymully River, River Braid and Colin Glen River involving thousands of mortalities. In 10 cases the fish kills were not attributed to definite sources of pollution and may have been linked to natural causes such as low oxygen levels, disease and post spawning/ restocking stress. Agricultural discharges caused 5 fish kills, sewage 1, and chemical 1. Silage effluent caused only 1 significant fish kill (Figure 10- Appendix 6) and slurry accounted for 4. There is still a particular need for good farming practice by farm managers to limit damage to fishery interests. The normal silage making period during the June to September period still represents a high risk time, when run-off from ensiled grass is most likely to occur.