IFI statement re fish kill at Boycetown River, Co Meath
Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI), in conjunction with other government agencies, is leading an investigation into a significant fish kill in Co. Meath, in which early indications suggest more than 900 brown trout have died.
The incident occurred on Boycetown River, a tributary of the River Boyne, near Trim.
Fish mortalities were observed over a 2km stretch of the river. Species of fish discovered dead include brown trout and some stickleback.
Dead fish found by IFI at the Boycetown River fish kill near Trim, Co Meath
Members of the public are advised, as a precautionary measure, not to consume any dead fish found at Boycetown River.
IFI officers have been on site since the evening of Wednesday August 5th to investigate the incident.
IFI and Meath County Council were on site again today to continue the investigation and remove dead fish.
Water samples and fish samples have been taken from the river and sent for analysis.
IFI is working with other government agencies in line with the new national interagency protocol for investigating significant fish kills, and is the lead agency on this case.
An interagency group met today to discuss the Boycetown River fish kill and included representatives from IFI, Meath County Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, Uisce Éireann, the HSE, Marine Institute, the River Basin Management Service, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment.
The interagency group is actively probing the cause of the fish kill, but it’s too early to definitively establish how it occurred.
Dead brown trout observed at Boycetown River
IFI continues to urge the public to report instances of fish kills, water pollution, habitat destruction, or illegal fishing to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.
