Fish Kills in Northern Ireland Rivers Reach 50,000 in Five Years

Over 65 pollution incidents in Northern Ireland have killed more than 50,000 fish since 2020, with agriculture identified as the largest source.

• Plunket Scullion, a fisherman, said he stopped fishing in the Torrent River after a June 2022 slurry spill killed nearly 4,500 fish.
• The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said no enforcement action was taken in almost half of the incidents because the pollution source could not be identified.
• Environment Minister Andrew Muir introduced a bill to increase fines and penalties for water pollution offences.
• The Ulster Farmers Union said agriculture was not the only source of pollution and that most farmers manage nutrients properly.