A significant fish kill occurred in the Kilkeel River in County Down’s Mournes area last week, affecting approximately 5 kilometers of the waterway. The Department of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Daera) confirmed that multiple fish species, including trout, eels, and lamprey, were found dead. Authorities are actively investigating the source of the pollution, though initial assessments found no active discharge point at the time of inspection.
Kilkeel Angling Club described the environmental damage as devastating, noting that several generations of juvenile fish have been eliminated by the incident. The organization, which has dedicated considerable volunteer effort to protecting and improving the river ecosystem, characterized the scale of destruction as the worst environmental event in its experience. Committee members indicated the fish kill represents the largest such incident in the south Down region in decades.
Authorities have not yet finalized a count of the total number of fish killed. Daera stated that investigators are pursuing definite lines of inquiry regarding the pollution’s origin. Club officials warned that the consequences could be severe and long-lasting, potentially affecting the river’s salmon and sea trout populations for years ahead. Recovery efforts are expected to require substantial time, with members estimating the restoration process could take years to return the river to its previous condition.
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