A severe pollution incident in County Tyrone has resulted in the deaths of thousands of fish in the Glenmornan River, located in the village of Artigarvan near Strabane. The Loughs Agency has confirmed that over 2,000 dead fish have been collected so far, with the final toll expected to rise significantly.
The incident was first detected on Friday during a routine habitat survey conducted by fishery officers, who discovered large numbers of deceased fish. Among the species affected are Atlantic salmon, brown trout, European eel, lamprey, flounder, stickleback, and Stoneloach.
“Of particular concern is the loss of over 500 European eels, a species already experiencing a sharp population decline,” a Loughs Agency spokesperson stated. “Additionally, the discovery of more than 20 dead frogs suggests the presence of a highly potent pollutant.”
Authorities have identified the source of the pollution, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is currently assessing the impact on water quality. Initial evaluations indicate that all macroinvertebrate species in the affected area have been completely lost, underscoring the severity of the ecological damage.
Investigations into the full extent of the incident are ongoing, and officials expect mortality figures to continue rising in the coming days.
Residents and visitors are urged not to touch any dead fish they may encounter. Instead, they should report findings directly to the Loughs Agency at +44 (0) 28 71 342100 to facilitate proper collection and documentation by fishery officers.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses
