IFI publishes new interagency fish kill emergency response plan
- New National Protocol established following River Blackwater fish kill
A new State interagency plan to urgently respond to significant fish kills was published by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) today.
IFI is the lead agency on the project, and worked with multiple statutory bodies on the National Protocol for Coordinating the Response to Significant Fish Mortality Events in Freshwater.
This rapid response plan has been completed following the fish kill in the River Blackwater catchment in August 2025.
Dr Eamonn Kelly, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland, commented: "The River Blackwater fish kill was devastating for anglers and the local community in Co. Cork.
"This protocol strengthens how State organisations will cooperate, and mobilise, in each step of a significant fish kill event in the future.
"It centres on procedures to be quicky followed, and on clear communication and information-sharing between all the agencies involved, and with the wider public.
"I provides a practical and collaborative framework to ensure all relevant State authorities are better prepared to collectively respond to any future incidents."
The new protocol sets out the recommended minimum requirements for each stage of the management of a fish mortality event, including preparedness, investigation and reporting activities.
IFI recently announced funding for projects in Co Cork to help restore salmon and trout stocks and their habitats on the River Blackwater.
Funding of €67,303 is to be given for a genetic study to collect 2,000 juvenile salmon and trout samples from spawning streams for analysis - with key assistance from local anglers.
And a grant of €10,000 is being provided for the Killavullen fishery riparian restoration project to develop a river habitat plan in cooperation with IFI.
Despite an extensive investigation, the cause and source of the fish kill on the River Blackwater in August last year was not identified.
In September 2025, a summary report on the investigation was published by IFI on behalf of the inter-agency group set up to coordinate the investigation.
And following the incident, an independent review was carried out by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).
The JRC report, published in February 2026, included a range of recommendations such as the development of a national protocol to improve coordination, information sharing and communication between relevant agencies.
