Angling Club Calls Fish Kill in County Down River Worst Environmental Event It Has Witnessed in United Kingdom

The Department of Environment (Daera) said 5km of the Kilkeel River in the Mournes area was impacted and that it is investigating the incident, which took place last week. A spokesperson said no active discharge was found but that "a definite line of enquiry is being followed regarding the source of the pollution. The number of fish killed remains to be confirmed.

Kilkeel Angling Club said the scale of the destruction was "devastating, adding that "several generations of juvenile fish have been wiped out. The club warned that "the incident could have serious consequences for the river's salmon and sea trout populations for many years to come. The Kilkeel River is an important local watercourse and wildlife habitat, the club said. Our club and its members have invested a great deal of time and voluntary effort in protecting and improving it, which makes the extent of this damage particularly difficult to comprehend.