Farmers are urged to to be vigilant regarding water pollution following eight separate fish kills across the country last year as a result of farming activity
Inland Fisheries Ireland has issued an appeal to farmers to remain vigilant during the summer months when harvesting silage and spreading slurry to avoid water pollution and the loss of nutrients to water.
There were 31 separate fish kills across the country last year, with eight of those directly attributable to agricultural activities.
The eight fish kills caused by agricultural practises in 2016 occurred in Meath (x 1), Kilkenny (x 1), Cork (x 3), Kerry (x 1), Sligo (x 1) and Galway (x 1).
Fish killed in these incidents included brown trout, atlantic salmon, eel, stone loach and stickleback.
In addition to the agricultural related kills, two fish kills were as a result of municipal works and one by industrial works. In four instances, the exact cause of the fish kill was difficult to ascertain while 16 incidents of fish kills were as a result of disease and natural causes.
LARGEST
As agriculture was the largest identifiable and avoidable attributing factor to fish kills last year, farmers are reminded of the importance of managing their silage operations correctly.
Silage operations are ongoing all summer and silage effluent has the potential to cause devastating pollution in streams and rivers.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is advising farmers to follow its simple six point plan to ensure good farmyard management and reduce their risk of polluting.
1. Use round bales as the most environmentally friendly way to store silage.
2. If a silage pit is being used, ensure it is properly sealed to prevent leakage from under the slab.
3. Carry out slurry spreading in dry weather and never when heavy rain is forecast.
4. Never spread slurry close to a watercourse, be aware of the slope of land to the watercourse.
5. Do not clean tanks beside any watercourse, stream or a river.
6. Do not allow any effluent or washings to enter any rainwater gully.
Inland Fisheries Ireland has a confidential hotline number to enable members of the general public to report incidents of water pollution, fish kills and illegal fishing – 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24. For more information on Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie.
