Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Forgive me chaps - this needs action.
One of the national treasures in Northern Ireland is Lough Neagh which is the largest freshwater lough in the UK and is fed by many tributaries most of which are in the tender care of a number of local angling clubs. I am in the happy position of having been in one of these fine clubs for many years and am now an honorary member still keen to fly fish for the local brownies or occasionally for the larger brown trout which live in the lough and run the tributaries ro spawn - in much the same way as salmon run from the sea. These fish are called Dollaghan and can exceed twenty pounds in weight so as one can imagine are highly regarded by one and all.
Sadly in recent years a blue/ green algae has appeared in the lough - caused by run-off of fertiliser and no doubt sewage - this recently made the headlines because of its reported toxicity for the many creatures which live on the lough; indeed last year advice was given that dogs should not be permitted to swim in it nor humans bathe there - much concern resulted and now many groups are uniting to address the parlous state of this treasure. I like many others thought it really could not get worse….
Then this morning this email arrived from my club:-
“Dear Member,
In recent weeks the large build up of Blue-green algal bloom has taken over the lough and has amassed as far up as the Airplane Hole at the castle Gardens.
Yesterday, Dr Neil Reid from Queens University confirmed not only the highest levels of hypertrophic contamination ever recorded on the Island of Ireland, but also the discovery of never before found bacterias that are extremely harmful to both animals and humans.
We are now advising all members NOT to consume fish caught from the Six Mile River for the foreseeable future. Members are also advised to be extra careful when handling fish and take all precautions when fishing to wash and sanitise after contact with water and fish.
We regret what is happening on our waters and as a committee, we want you to know that we, along with other lough based angling clubs and together with the UAF, LNP, LNT and SMWT are working hard to bring as much influence to remedy the algea problem.
We trust you are enjoying your fishing and encourage you all to move to catch and release until further notice.
Lough Neagh: Blue-green algae could pose serious health risks, say experts.”.
This is utterly depressing - reading of a river that I fished since a boy, caught many lovely trout in and played a very large part in my then embryonic passion for all things fishing and shooting - an utter disaster which I fear will result in the closure of the rivers until conditions improve.
This is not just NI’s problem; I understand that the Lake District is suffering from the same issues with the same health warnings, no doubt there are many, many more so coming to a river/ lake near you….
We really must do something drastic to stop this NOW!
One of the national treasures in Northern Ireland is Lough Neagh which is the largest freshwater lough in the UK and is fed by many tributaries most of which are in the tender care of a number of local angling clubs. I am in the happy position of having been in one of these fine clubs for many years and am now an honorary member still keen to fly fish for the local brownies or occasionally for the larger brown trout which live in the lough and run the tributaries ro spawn - in much the same way as salmon run from the sea. These fish are called Dollaghan and can exceed twenty pounds in weight so as one can imagine are highly regarded by one and all.
Sadly in recent years a blue/ green algae has appeared in the lough - caused by run-off of fertiliser and no doubt sewage - this recently made the headlines because of its reported toxicity for the many creatures which live on the lough; indeed last year advice was given that dogs should not be permitted to swim in it nor humans bathe there - much concern resulted and now many groups are uniting to address the parlous state of this treasure. I like many others thought it really could not get worse….
Then this morning this email arrived from my club:-
“Dear Member,
In recent weeks the large build up of Blue-green algal bloom has taken over the lough and has amassed as far up as the Airplane Hole at the castle Gardens.
Yesterday, Dr Neil Reid from Queens University confirmed not only the highest levels of hypertrophic contamination ever recorded on the Island of Ireland, but also the discovery of never before found bacterias that are extremely harmful to both animals and humans.
We are now advising all members NOT to consume fish caught from the Six Mile River for the foreseeable future. Members are also advised to be extra careful when handling fish and take all precautions when fishing to wash and sanitise after contact with water and fish.
We regret what is happening on our waters and as a committee, we want you to know that we, along with other lough based angling clubs and together with the UAF, LNP, LNT and SMWT are working hard to bring as much influence to remedy the algea problem.
We trust you are enjoying your fishing and encourage you all to move to catch and release until further notice.
Lough Neagh: Blue-green algae could pose serious health risks, say experts.”.
This is utterly depressing - reading of a river that I fished since a boy, caught many lovely trout in and played a very large part in my then embryonic passion for all things fishing and shooting - an utter disaster which I fear will result in the closure of the rivers until conditions improve.
This is not just NI’s problem; I understand that the Lake District is suffering from the same issues with the same health warnings, no doubt there are many, many more so coming to a river/ lake near you….
We really must do something drastic to stop this NOW!
.
