IFI statement re fish kill at Lough Sheelin

Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) is investigating a fish kill at Lough Sheelin, Co Cavan during which at least 68 fish have died, most of which were large wild brown trout.

Fish mortalities were observed in Captain’s Bay, Lough Sheelin and a circa 2-kilometre stretch of the Mountnugent River

Species of fish discovered dead include 63 brown trout, two roach, one perch and two stone loach.

Investigations thus far have not yielded any evidence of pollution.

IFI staff were on site on Wednesday and early yesterday, July 17th, to investigate the incident, which is believed to have been caused by prolonged recent hot weather.

Monitoring and assessment of the lake and river will continue to be undertaken to identify the cause of the fish kill, and the quality of the water.

IFI suspects the event was caused by high water temperatures in combination with low dissolved oxygen levels, exacerbated by the presence of aquatic plant growth (which remove oxygen from the water at night during respiration), which impacts on larger fish disproportionately.

IFI is grateful to the member of the public who alerted the organisation to the incident - the third fish kill in one week to have occurred since last week.

IFI continues to appeal to people to report instances of fish kills or suspected water pollution to its 24-hour confidential phoneline, 0818 34 74 24.