Action needed to prevent future fish kills in County Wicklow – John Brady TD
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has expressed his concern at a recent report by Inland Fisheries detailing the large number fish kills recorded to have taken place across the state between 1969 and 2022. The report further revealed 82 large scale incidents of fish kill which have taken place in County Wicklow in that period. Including a major one in Aughrim River in July of this year, where approx. 2,000 fish were killed. He called for immediate action to ensure that our rivers and lakes are protected from future fish kills.
Brady said:
“The Inland Fisheries Report reveals Wicklow to be one of the worst areas in the state for fish kills.
The majority of the 2107 fish kills across the state have taken place in rivers – some 81%. With a major kill in Wicklow in July, there have also been major kills in Sligo, Cork, and Dublin among others.
Between 2023 and so far in 2024 19,000 fish have died in 30 recorded instances, among the fish list include Salmon, Trout, Eels and Lamprey.
The causes of these fish kills are primarily avoidable, and in many instances are a result of criminal behaviour. The fact is that we live in a time of environmental jeopardy, where we simply cannot allow these events to continue to occur.
Just last month reports emerged indicating the death of wild deer due to potentially toxic water in a stream in Wicklow, although a wound to the deer suggests that this may have been a contributing factor. This followed an incident at the Delgany Pumping Station / Greystones wastewater treatment plant, where there was an overflow in late August.
The state of the stream in question, the Three Trouts Stream in Delgany has become a matter of concern for locals and environmentalists. Who have noted the deteriorating levels of pollution which is degrading the water quality in the stream leading to significant insect kill, with locals also suspecting fish kills to have taken place in the area.
Working with people in the area, I contacted Uisce Eireann who confirmed that an incident did take place at the plant on August 21, when a pump failure led to an uncontrolled release into the Three Trouts Stream.
When I questioned them about the smell at the Delgany Priory Road Bridge, and at Charlesland, Uisce Eireann were unable to provide satisfactory answers, other than to say an assessment is under way.
They have acknowledged that the plant does not possess the capacity to cope with future growth in the area, and that upgrades are needed before new properties can be connected.
With the level and extent of new developments in the Delgany area this is a matter of major concern and represents another example of the failure of Simon Harris’s coalition government to properly plan to accommodate for the population upsurge in Wicklow.
It is not unacceptable that bodies such as Uisce Eireann respond to environmental emergencies by offering apologies.
And while I welcome the announcement today that plans are to be introduced to lead to better protection and management of our rivers, this smacks of a political response to the scathing content of the recent report on fish kills. We need to see detailed plans and timelines with clear targets and strategies as to how the government is going to reverse the damage that has been done to our waterways.
The fact is that the Environmental Protection Agency have already reported earlier this summer that there has been no improvement in the water quality of our rivers, lakes or ground waters.
A total of 34% of the 4,842 water bodies in the state are regarded as being of risk of not meeting water quality targets. 46% of surface water are in a poor ecological state.
The fact is that this government has failed to address the pollution of our rivers, lakes and waterways. We need to see a real and tangible plan of action from the government. A plan that includes stiff penalties for offenders.” ENDs