‘Tragedy unlike anything we have ever witnessed’
Let this be a wake-up call. Our rivers are fragile. Our ecosystems are vulnerable. And our responsibility to protect them has never been more urgent.”
Those were the words of anglers from the Mallow Trout Anglers organisation as investigations continue following the death of thousands of fish in the River Blackwater.
Figures as high as 42,000 have been reported but Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) said indications suggest there are between 8,000 and 10,000 wild fish mortalities, mainly brown trout, recorded over an 18km stretch of the River Blackwater. This is based on IFI observations and data submitted by local stakeholders.
Senior management from IFI are due to meet angler representatives in Cork, tomorrow, Friday in relation to the fish kill. IFI Acting CEO Suzanne Campion will be among a delegation due to attend the meeting to discuss the matter with key stakeholders.
IFI said estimating the number of mortalities in a fish kill is always difficult as many dead fish will be taken by predators, caught under banks out of sight, will sink to the bottom of pools or be washed downstream. IFI said it is also possible that the same fish may be reported by different observers.
Mallow Trout Anglers described the loss of aquatic life as devastating. In a statement, seen by the Cork Independent, the group said preliminary counts estimate the death of up to 20,000 trout, including 2,000 salmon parr, numerous adult salmon, European eels, sticklebacks, and dace.
“This catastrophic event represents a total collapse of the river’s ecosystem — a tragedy unlike anything we have ever witnessed in our club’s history. The affected stretch of the River Blackwater spans almost 30 kilometers, from Clonmeen above Roskeen Bridge down to Ballyhooly Bridge. This vast area, once rich with biodiversity and a source of pride for anglers and nature enthusiasts, has suffered an unprecedented blow.”
Affected trout were observed in the River Blackwater circa 6km downstream of Mallow, and up to 12km upstream of Mallow. They have also been seen at the Awbeg river, and the Clyda river-which joins the Blackwater west of Mallow.
The Mallow Trout Anglers statement continued: “These fish exhibited disturbing symptoms, including what members are calling ‘popeye’ — large, bulging white eyes — along with visible damage to their scales, which later developed into fungal infections. The rapid onset and severity of these symptoms point to a sudden and highly toxic event in the river system. This is not just a fish kill. It is a complete wipeout of the fishing stock. The River Blackwater, once teeming with life and a source of joy for generations, now lies silent. It could take up to ten years for the river to recover — if recovery is even possible.”
In response to this tragedy, the club has asked all members to refrain from fishing on club water and to allow space for the investigation to continue and potential recovery. “We urge the public to understand the true scale of this disaster. The loss is not just in numbers, but in the destruction of a delicate balance that has taken decades to nurture. The river is more than water — it is a living, breathing part of our heritage.”
Mallow Trout Anglers has now called on environmental authorities, local government, and the wider community to support a full investigation and immediate action to prevent further damage. They are also asking for transparency and accountability in identifying the cause and ensuring this never happens again.
Ms Campion said: “IFI’s primary function is to protect and manage freshwater fish and their habitats. The large fish kill on the River Blackwater is very distressing for anglers and others who enjoy the river. It is also distressing for IFI staff who have devoted many years caring for fish in the catchment. “We await a report on the event from the Marine Institute to try establish a cause of the fish mortalities. Our dedicated staff will continue to actively monitor the river to assess the scale of the incident.”
The Marine Institute advice provided to IFI is that there is no precedent for dead fish to be removed from the river. Deceased fish should be left where they are found.
The EPA, which has been liaising with IFI’s lead Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer throughout the investigation, inspected water treatment plants and licenced commercial discharges in the affected area. The EPA’s preliminary results did not report anything of concern.
In addition to high temperatures and low flow conditions at the River Blackwater, underlying water quality issues, over a period of time, may be a contributory factor in the fish kill in Cork. IFI continues to appeal to people to report instances of fish kills to its 24-hour confidential phoneline 0818-34 74 24.