Investigation after hundreds of dead fish found in river

The Loughs Agency confirmed it was notified on Monday of a suspected fish kill near Ballykelly village

An investigation is under way after more than 400 dead fish were discovered in a County Londonderry river.

The Loughs Agency confirmed it was notified on Monday of a suspected fish kill near Ballykelly village.

Fishery officers were deployed to the scene, where they discovered 422 dead fish, mainly trout, along with several salmon and flounder, across a stretch of about 500m, downstream of the village, beginning just below a discharge pipe.

Although no direct source of pollution has yet been identified, officials believe the incident may have been caused by a "cleaning agent" entering the water system.

Second fish kill reported to Loughs Agency

Meanwhile, the Loughs Agency has been alerted to another fish kill on the Ballinamullan River, a tributary of the Camowen River near Omagh.

"Investigations into the cause are currently ongoing in collaboration with the relevant authorities," a spokesperson said.

The suspected fish kill was reported in the Ballykelly River

In a statement, the Loughs Agency said a detailed investigation was carried out in partnership with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's (NIEA) Water Management Unit upon the discovery of the dead fish.

Both agencies have urged the public to take extra care to prevent pollutants from entering storm drains, which should carry only rainwater.

"Chemicals and waste products can drastically reduce water quality and cause serious harm to aquatic life," a spokesperson said.

The Loughs Agency added that while the majority of affected fish have been recovered, some may still remain in the river.

Members of the public who come across dead fish in the area are asked not to touch or move them, but instead to contact the Loughs Agency.

The investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.

'This must be a wake-up call'

Independent MLA Claire Sugden said any potential chemical pollution in the Ballykelly River highlighted the "urgent need to protect waterways" and "invest in Northern Ireland's ageing water and sewage infrastructure".

"This has deeply worried people across the north coast and shows how fragile our rivers and wildlife are," Sugden said.

"NI Water has been underfunded for years -it makes no sense to expect it to deliver without proper resources," she added.

Sugden has said she will raise this issue at the Assembly.

'Sadly becoming a regular occurrence'

Rónán Ó Díochon said he and other anglers in the area had been coming across more and more fish kills in recent times.

"This is sadly becoming a regular occurrence, and nothing really seems to be done to deter or tackle it," he told BBC News NI.

"I actually came across the scene in Ballykelly myself and saw the number of dead trout and other fish in the water - it was shocking.

"I also think the numbers they are suggesting are slightly conservative, given that the river flows into the Foyle Estuary.

"The number of affected fish could be even higher and I imagine more dead fish will be found - we just don't know the full extent."

He said the courts to take a tougher line on people found guilty of polluting rivers.

"Until tougher sentences are handed down, I don't think it will deter anyone from polluting rivers, whether intentionally or not."