Inland Fisheries Ireland investigates Curragheen River fish kill in Cork

Press Release  7th September 2011

INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND INVESTIGATES CURRAGHEEN RIVER FISH KILL IN CORK

Last Friday 16th September Inland Fisheries Ireland Macroom was alerted by the public that a fish kill had taken place on the Curragheen River, a tributary of the River Lee, in Cork city. It was reported that there were numerous dead fish in the river in the Bishopstown area. Inland Fisheries Ireland responded immediately and a Senior Environmental Officer was on site within an hour.

Approximately 240 dead brown trout were recorded over a 500m stretch of river channel upstream from Carrigrohane Bridge. A preliminary examination of the dead fish, the plentiful supply of oxygen in the water and lack of discolouration in downstream pools would suggest that a chemical pollutant was the likely cause of this fish kill. At the time of the investigation there was no discharge taking place but investigations are ongoing to pinpoint the source of the pollution.

Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to thank those members of the public who contacted the Macroom office and those who used the 24 hour hotline for their vigilance. Anyone who sees pollution or poaching is encouraged to report it to our lo-call number - 1890 34 74 24.

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Media Enquiries

Suzanne Campion
Head of Business Development
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Anglesea Street,
Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 052 6180055 Fax: 052 6123971
Email: suzanne.campion@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fisheriesireland.ie

Notes to Editor

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on, the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.