Fish kill on the River Erkina, County Laois

Inland Fisheries Ireland, the state agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, is investigating a significant fish kill incident on the River Erkina, near Rathdowney in County Laois. 

Environmental and Fisheries Officers from the South-Eastern River Basin District were alerted to the incident by a member of the public on Wednesday, July 20th 2022.

Inland Fisheries Ireland estimates that there could be in excess of 2,000 trout killed in the incident, in addition to other species, such as salmon parr, lamprey and crayfish. Inland Fisheries Ireland notes that fish species in the Erkina are very vulnerable currently, due to higher water temperatures and lower water levels at this time of year. If there is less oxygen in the water, fish find it extremely difficult to survive as a result.

Investigations into this fish kill incident are ongoing and Inland Fisheries Ireland is not in a position to comment on the cause at this stage.

To report fish kills or water pollution, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s new confidential 24-hour hotline number on 0818 34 74 24, which is open seven days a week.