Updated IFI statement re fish kill at Boycetown River, Co Meath
Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) and statutory partners are continuing to investigate a significant fish kill in Co. Meath where approximately 900 fish had died.
The incident occurred on the Boycetown River, a tributary of the Boyne River near Trim.
Staff from IFI and Meath County Council attended the impacted location on Wednesday August 5th and on Thursday August 6th, and observed fish mortalities over a 2km stretch of the river.
Species of dead fish included approximately 900 brown trout and a small number of stickleback.
Dead brown trout found at fish kill at Boycetown River
IFI personnel, and staff from Meath County Council and the River Basin Management Service, attended the scene again today(Friday, August 7th) and did not find any additional dead fish at the river.
Staff also observed that live fish had already returned to the location where the fish kill occurred
Water and fish samples taken from the river have been sent for analysis.
IFI has worked with statutory bodies in line with the new national interagency protocol for investigating significant fish kills, and is the lead agency on this case.
An interagency group was convened under the protocol to enable rapid coordination and communication in responding to the Meath incident.
The interagency group held another meeting today to further discuss developments relating to the fish kill.
With the initial investigation concluded, the group has completed its role as the situation appears to have stabilised and does not represent an ongoing threat to fish in the waterbody.
IFI will continue to liaise with relevant agencies involved, and IFI staff will continue to monitor the river over the weekend and into next week.
Members of the public are advised, as a precautionary measure, not to consume any dead fish found at Boycetown River.
IFI urges 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.
