A councillor has lambasted a “slow” investigation council into a mystery fish kill labelling it “unacceptable”.
The Donaghaguy Lake in Warrenpoint suffered an unexplained phenomenon that resulted in the total wipe out of the freshly stocked lake in September.
Rainbow and brown trout species were killed in unknown circumstances leaving the popular reservoir area unable to support visiting anglers for the autumn season.
Newry, Mourne and Down Crotlieve councillor, Mickey Ruane (SF) expressed his frustration during a sustainability and environment committee this week.
Cllr Ruane said: “I have asked the council a number of weeks ago to make a report on the fish kill in Donaghaguy and if the council is responsible they must hold their hands up.
“There have been issues in the past with a lack of oxygen in the water. The council has sprayed the area before for weeding and dredging was carried out before to take away algae, but what has been done lately?
“Now we find the local angling club had just recently seen the lake re-stocked and were left shocked soon afterwards to find that the fish had all floated to the top of the water dead.
“I went to the council director a number of weeks ago for a report into what had happened and I have had nothing back yet, there are no answers, this is totally unacceptable.
“The fishing community of Donaghguy has been let down by this council. The relationship they had has been broken.”
A council official responding said that he would update the councillor in due course.
