The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has awarded £2 million to four suppliers as part of efforts to tackle blue-green algae in Lough Neagh and other affected waterways.

The funding supports Phase 2 of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) In-Lough Mitigation of Blue-Green Algae programme, launched in August. It follows an initial proof-of-concept phase that began in 2024.

Phase 2, fully funded by DAERA and managed in partnership with the Strategic Investment Board, aims to demonstrate large-scale treatments that can reduce harmful algal blooms while protecting water quality and the wider ecosystem.

Suppliers will be required to show effective treatment of algal scums, measurable reductions in harmful blooms, and proof that their methods can operate sustainably at scale.

The funding announcement comes two months after a large rally was held on the shores of Lough Neagh after lue-green algae reappeared for the third consecutive summer.

The demonstration, organised by the Save Lough Neagh coalition, called for stronger protection of the lough, including fines for major polluters, an end to commercial sand dredging, and long-term protection for the natural environment.

Four organisations have been selected to progress under Phase 2 of the new programme: Queen’s University Belfast, Wholeschool Software Ltd & Biild.ai, Varicon Aqua Solutions Ltd, and Clear Water Systems Ltd. The projects include technologies such as solar-powered ultrasonic buoys, bacteriophage treatments, autonomous surface vessels and predictive satellite systems.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said he was encouraged by the results from Phase 1 but warned that further work was needed to validate the models at scale.

“The environmental challenges facing Lough Neagh cannot be resolved by any single organisation or sector,” he said. “A collaborative, science-led approach is required to restore the lough and improve water quality across Northern Ireland.”

Phase 2 of the programme is expected to run until March 2027.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said blue-green algal blooms have been recorded this year in rivers, lakes and along parts of the coastline.

The department said it is continuing to respond to reports across Northern Ireland and has introduced emergency planning measures. While the most serious impacts have been in Lough Neagh and the Lower Bann, blooms have also affected bathing waters on the north coast and lakes in Fermanagh.

The algae can disrupt fisheries and pose risks to recreational water users. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that fish from Lough Neagh remain safe to eat provided they are properly gutted and fillets are rinsed in clean water to remove any contamination.