Anglers Express Disappointment Over Lack of Prosecution for Crumlin River Fish Kill

Local anglers have voiced their “disappointment” regarding the choice not to initiate legal proceedings following a significant pollution event in the Crumlin River. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) confirmed that no prosecution would occur for the incident, which resulted in the deaths of 3,500 fish across a 6km stretch of the river on 12 February 2023. The NIEA, in an official statement, reported that it addressed 40 pollution occurrences of differing magnitudes on the Crumlin River from 2019 to 2023. Of these, 34 were categorized as low severity, where formal enforcement measures were not considered appropriate, whereas the remaining 6 incidents have either been pursued or are currently under investigation. David Kennedy, representing the Crumlin and District Angling Association, stated that the existing system for reporting these types of incidents is flawed. He remarked, “Of the major fish kills across Northern Ireland between 2019 and 2023, amazingly 32 out of 49 saw no prosecution.” “As it currently stands there is no recompense for our angling club as the managers of these waters.” “There is no way for us to reinstate what we have lost in terms of the number of fish and the damage to the entire ecosystem and habitat.” Kennedy emphasized the necessity for immediate change. He further asserted, “Our river is in a much poorer state due to this major pollution incident, as will be Lough Neagh, where ultimately all this pollution ends up.” He concluded, “Polluters will continue to pollute with impunity while the current approach continues.” When the incident occurred, the NIEA indicated that it had received a report concerning the presence of slurry in the river, situated upstream from Crumlin. The NIEA, in a statement, declared its inability to locate “sufficient evidence about the pollution source to enable the PPS to take forward a prosecution.” It also mentioned that “additional funding provided for Lough Neagh has supported the provision of additional officers to undertake catchment investigations as well as increased inspection and enforcement activities.” This week, Environment Minister Andrew Muir appointed a panel of three experts tasked with conducting a review aimed at enhancing environmental governance. Muir had previously pledged to tackle increasing public anxieties regarding the contamination of Northern Ireland’s waterways. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Details on its approach to external linking are provided.