17/07/2006

Pollution kills thousands of fish

Thousands of fish have been killed in two separate pollution incidents.

In County Down around 1,500 fish are thought to have died due to a discharge of sewage into the River Shimna. This is also being investigated by environmental health officers from Down District Council over fears that the beach area in Newcastle may have been contaminated.

In County Armagh another major fish kill was caused by what is thought to be chemicals entering the River Lagan near Donaghcloney.

The Fisheries Conservancy Board have taken samples and are attempting to identify the source of the pollutions in both cases.

Concerns have been raised that the current high temperatures are exacerbating the lethal effects of even small quatities of pollutants entering streams and rivers.

(SP/KMcA)

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