Cork saw the highest number of farming fish kills during 2016
FIGURES released by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have shown that almost half of the fish kills during 2016 that were attributed to farming activity took place in County Cork.
The figures revealed that of the 31 fish kills that happened in rivers and waterways across the country last year, eight were caused by agricultural practices, with three of those in Cork and one each in Kerry, Meath Kilkenny, Sligo and Galway.
In addition to the farming related kills, three incidents were the result of municipal and industrial works, 16 were caused by disease or natural causes, with the IFI unable to ascertain the exact cause of the remaining four.
The species of fish killed in the incidents included brown trout, Atlantic salmon, eel, stone loach and stickleback.
Given the relatively high number of agriculture related kills, the IFI has issued an appeal to Cork farmers to remain vigilant when harvesting silage and spreading slurry to avoid water pollution and loss of nutrients to water.
“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,” said IFI head of operations, Dr Greg Forde.
“Silage effluent is a significant polluting substance, staving fish and invertebrate life of oxygen, resulting in potentially massive fish kills if it enters a water course. As rivers can run low during the summer months spills have little chance to dilute so that even a small leak can potentially cause huge damage.”
In order to drive the point home the IFI has issued a six-point plan (below) aimed at ensuring good farmyard management and reducing the risk of polluting.
• USE round bales as the most environmentally friendly way to store silage.
• ENSURE silage pits are properly sealed to prevent leakage from under the slab. • UNDERTAKE slurry spreading in dry weather and never when heavy rain is forecast. • NEVER spread slurry close to waterways.
• DOnot clean tanks beside rivers and streams.
• DO not allow effluent or washings to enter rainwater gullies. Dr Forde said that the IFI was grateful to the vast majority of farmers for their “continued consideration and vigilance” in protecting their local environments
“Members of the public can also report incidents of water pollution, fish kills and illegal fishing to our confidential hotline on 1890 347424,” he added.