Agencies intensify probe into fish deaths on River Blackwater

State agencies are intensifying their investigation into recent fish mortalities on the River Blackwater in Co Cork.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), Cork County Council, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Marine Institute and Uisce Éireann are coordinating efforts to identify the cause.

Potential actions under discussion include testing riverbed sediment, analysing fish mortalities for harmful substances and sampling macroinvertebrates.

Additional macroinvertebrate sampling is now under way in an effort to trace the source of a possible waterborne irritant. Cork County Council, the EPA and IFI will expand their work this week to assess overall water and habitat quality.

The Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley, has requested a joint meeting of the organisations to enhance collaboration.

IFI, which is leading the interagency group, will continue inspecting the affected river channel and tributaries for dead or distressed fish.

Agencies are also reviewing historical data to determine if recent reports may be linked to the incident. Results of further testing will be made public once analysis is complete.

All five State agencies have confirmed they will continue to meet regularly until a cause is established.