Fish kill 'biggest blow' to rewilding project

Louise Walsh

A fish kill in Meath has been described as the 'biggest blow' to a 12-year ongoing rewilding project.

The Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed it is investigating a fish kill in the River Skane, near Dunsany Castle.

In a social media post, it says 'indications suggest approx. 200 brown trout have died.'

The incident has been described as 'very disappointing' by Randal Plunkett, 21st Baron of Dunsany, who began a rewilding project on part of his estate over a decade ago.

"We've been working really hard with biodiversity there in the last few years. When I started, there was almost no life in the river and now we have seen trout come back," he said.

"Last year, we started the waterways rewilding project with the Inland Fisheries and the OPW and we have seen salmon return as well as otters, ducks and even eels."

"And then I got a call from one of our people last Tuesday and they had spotted dead fish. The Inland Fisheries have counted 200 dead bodies and I don't know if there are more than that but I'd say it is likely."

Plunkett added that one or two fish were seen in difficulty, 'almost choking' the previous Friday but there were no dead fish.

"It's very disappointing because it shows how quickly a lot of work to improve something can be destroyed. The silver lining is that there is still some life still there so it hasn't killed everything.

He also thanked the Inland Fisheries Ireland and Meath Co. Council for their fast response.

"I can't give them enough credit for the speed in which they came here and how seriously they are handling it.

"They are investigating at present. We can't give any more information because we actually don't know ourselves yet."

The kill was spread over a large section of the river that runs through the woodland along the castle.

"Something has come in from a neighbouring area and has caused this.

"I can say with absolute confidence that in the 12 years that we have been doing this (rewilding), this is the biggest blow to nature I've seen."A fish kill, involving 200 juvenile brown trout in Meath has been described as the 'biggest blow' to a 12-year ongoing rewilding project.

The Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed it is investigating a fish kill along one kilometer of the River Skane, near Dunsany Castle.

It has ruled out all potential sources of contamination and say there has been no evidence of significant slurry spreading or pesticide use in the vicinity. Analysis of water samples are underway.

The kill doesn't seem to have affected other fish in the river.

The incident has been described as 'very disappointing' by Randal Plunkett, 21st Baron of Dunsany, who began a rewilding project on part of his estate over a decade ago.

"We've been working really hard with biodiversity there in the last few years. When I started, there was almost no life in the river and now we have seen trout come back," he said.

"Last year, we started the waterways rewilding project with the Inland Fisheries and the OPW(Office of Public Works) and we have seen salmon return as well as otters, ducks and even eels."

"And then I got a call from one of our people last Tuesday and they had spotted dead fish. The Inland Fisheries have counted 200 dead bodies and I don't know if there are more than that but I'd say it is likely."

Plunkett added that one or two fish were seen in difficulty, 'almost choking' the previous Friday but there were no dead fish.

"It's very disappointing because it shows how quickly a lot of work to improve something can be destroyed. The silver lining is that there is still some life still there so it hasn't killed everything.

He also thanked the Inland Fisheries Ireland and Meath Co. Council for their fast response.

"I can't give them enough credit for the speed in which they came here and how seriously they are handling it.

"They are investigating at present. We can't give any more information because we actually don't know ourselves yet."

The kill was spread over a large section of the river that runs through the woodland along the castle.

"Something has come in from a neighbouring area and has caused this.

"I can say with absolute confidence that in the 12 years that we have been doing this (rewilding), this is the biggest blow to nature I've seen."

In a statement the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said: "Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), in collaboration with Meath County Council, has been carrying out investigations throughout the Skane River catchment following reports of a fish mortality event.

"IFI staff have been on-site each day since Tuesday when initial reports were received.

"It is estimated that approximately 200 juvenile brown trout were killed over a 1km stretch of river.

"Substantial numbers of live fish have also been observed within the affected area.

"Potential sources of contamination that may have contributed to the incident, including feeder tributaries, have been thoroughly investigated. To date, all identified potential sources have been ruled out. Furthermore, there has been no evidence of significant slurry spreading or pesticide use in the vicinity.

"A comprehensive suite of water chemistry analyses is currently underway, including testing for the presence of pesticides. The results of these assessments are expected within two weeks.

"IFI and Meath County Council will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further updates as more information becomes available."