Urgent answers called for following Crana River fish kill
150 juvenile salmon were found dead late Friday afternoon
A Donegal County Councillor has expressed deep concern following the discovery of a fish kill on the Crana River in the Illies area outside Buncrana, where 150 juvenile salmon were found dead late Friday afternoon.
Cllr Joy Beard of the 100% Redress Party thanked the Buncrana Angling Association for alerting her to the incident and for their continued vigilance in protecting the river. Following contact from the Association, Cllr Beard reported the matter to Inland Fisheries Ireland and thanked its officers for their swift response in attending the scene 30 minutes after it was reported.
Samples have now been taken from the affected area and Cllr Beard has been informed that they are being sent to Dublin for testing to establish the cause of the fish kill.
Cllr Beard said: “I want to sincerely thank the Buncrana Angling Association for bringing this very serious incident to my attention and for the work they do in monitoring and protecting the Crana River. Local anglers are often the first to spot when something is wrong, and their knowledge of the river is invaluable.
“The death of 150 juvenile salmon is deeply concerning. These fish are the future of the river, and this loss must be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
“We now need to find out exactly what happened, as a matter of urgency. Samples are being sent for testing, and the public deserves a full, clear account of the outcome, what caused this fish kill, how far any impact extends and what action will follow.
“This cannot simply become another incident that is noted and forgotten about. If this was caused by pollution or another preventable failure, there must be accountability. More importantly, firm measures must be put in place to ensure this never happens again.
“The Crana River is a hugely important part of our local natural heritage. It is valued by residents, anglers and visitors alike, and we all have a responsibility to protect it for future generations.”
Cllr Beard said she will seek a full update from Inland Fisheries Ireland and the relevant agencies when the laboratory testing results are available, including details of any action proposed to prevent a recurrence. Cllr Beard has also contacted the Environment Section of Donegal County Council.
Cllr Beard is urging members of the public who observe dead fish, discoloured water, unusual odours, fish in distress, water pollution, or habitat destruction to report it immediately to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s 24-hour confidential hotline on 0818 34 74 24.