Pollution Incident Kills Hundreds of Fish in County Down Rivers

A major pollution incident has killed approximately 1,000 brown and migratory sea trout in the Gransha, Ballystockart, and Inler rivers in County Down. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs are currently investigating the source of the contamination.

Inler Angling Club officials reported that the incident has devastated fish stocks and threatens local wildlife, including kingfishers, herons, and otters. Club members, who have worked to improve the river since previous pollution events in 2013 and 2015, described the loss as soul-destroying and called for stronger deterrents against environmental damage.

Editor's note: The brief concisely reports the fish kill, the agencies involved, and the environmental context while maintaining appropriate brevity.