Updated IFI statement re fish kill at Lough Sheelin, Co Cavan

Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) is today continuing to monitor the Mountnugent River and Captain’s Bay area of Lough Sheelin after detecting several hundred additional mortalities there at the weekend.

This follows a fish kill last week, and it is believed these fish died during that initial incident at the lough in Co Cavan.

These fish had sunk to the river bed upon expiration and were not visible in recent checks of the river bed, until decomposition caused them to float to the surface.

These additional mortalities were in the lower reaches of the Mountnugent River in the last 400 metres before it enters the lake.

There have been no detections of any new fish in distress since the time of the initial report of the fish kill.

IFI officers will continue to examine and assess the entire site during the coming days to establish if any more deceased fish are in the water.

Last Thursday, July 17th, IFI confirmed it was investigating a fish kill at Lough Sheelin during which at least 68 fish were noted to have died. 

Mortalities were observed in Captain’s Bay, Lough Sheelin and a circa 2km stretch of the Mountnugent River. 

The incident is believed to have been caused by a prolonged spell of hot weather.