Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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56. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to a suspected fish killing in Carrigadrohid, County Cork in June 2021. [39487/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I refer the Deputy to the response to Question No. 57 on 1 July last.

I am happy to provide the Deputy with a copy of the report received from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) which was referred to in the previous response.

OBSERVATION/ADVICE NOTE

Iascach Intíre Éireann

Inland Fisheries Ireland

IFI became aware of fish mortalities on the Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid reservoirs, primarily of the rudd species Scardinius erythrophthalmus on 14th June. Investigations by Inland Fisheries Ireland Senior Fisheries Environmental Officers found dead rudd washed along the shore line in relatively small numbers i.e. c. 50no. The fish are believed to have been post-spawning mortalities, with no external signs of disease. Rudd spawn in summer and many subsequently die, a part of their life cycle. Several calls from concerned members of the public were received on this issue including calls to the IFI hotline number 1890 34 74 24. IFI welcomes such calls as a valuable method of receiving timely information on such issues.

IFI officers launched a boat on to the reservoir on Monday 21st in an attempt to capture some lethargic samples to send to the Marine Institute for analysis in order to rule out the possibility of disease among the population. Having searched for several hours, no sample fish were detected and therefore no samples were transferred to the Marine Institute.

IFI continue to monitor the situation however at this stage in the absence of any evidence of pollution or any other causative agent they have no reason to believe this was anything but a natural event.

DATE OUT: 29/06/2021

ANSWERED By: Sean Long, Director, SWRBD