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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>An inter-agency report into the Blackwater fish kill published in September concluded that there was no evidence of a systemic disease in the dead fish. File photo: IFI/Facebook</p>

munster

Oireachtas committee calls for tougher penalties after major Blackwater fish kill in Cork

An Oireachtas committee recommends stronger enforcement powers, rapid response protocols and tougher penalties following Ireland’s largest recorded fish kill

<p>The farm in Ballinskelligs Bay has 'decimated' valuable local sea-trout, wild salmon and a centuries-old tourism angling industry, councillors told a meeting. File picture: Dan Linehan</p>

munster

Kerry councillors condemn approval for commercial salmon farm to continue, despite serious breaches

<p>Salmon Watch Ireland said the fact that nobody has been held responsible for the loss of 32,000 fish illustrates the need for tougher enforcement and clearer response protocols. Photo: IFI/Facebook</p>

munster

Call for end to 'light touch' enforcement in wake of country's biggest ever fish kill

Draining sewage from pipe into river, pollution rivers and ecology.

spotlight

Mick Clifford: Our rivers are not the only places to have been polluted under the IFI

Cork fish kill: No culprit for the worst environmental disaster in Ireland this century

comment-analysis

Cork fish kill: No culprit for the worst environmental disaster in Ireland this century

Blackwater fish kill has 'an unjust and negative impact' on stocks, committee to hear

munster

Blackwater fish kill has 'an unjust and negative impact' on stocks, committee to hear

Connemara Coast

Colourful or camouflaged, crabs can live up to 20 years of age

Crabs constitute Ireland’s third most valuable seafood export, with an export value in excess of €60 million per year

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Council calls for reopening of hatchery to combat Cork fish kill

Council calls for reopening of hatchery to combat Cork fish kill

Search is still on to identify cause of death of an estimated 50,000 fish

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Blackwater disaster: EPA finds no link between discharges and fish kill

Blackwater disaster: EPA finds no link between discharges and fish kill

Environmental Protection Agency has not identified a causal link between discharges and the disastrous fish kill in the Blackwater and Clyda rivers

Wed, 03 Sep, 2025

Anglers outraged as fresh pollution hits Cork’s River Blackwater after 50,000 fish killed

Anglers outraged as fresh pollution hits Cork’s River Blackwater after 50,000 fish killed

Fresh pollution has hit Cork’s River Blackwater near Fermoy, leaving anglers furious as the cause of Ireland’s biggest fish kill remains unknown

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Watch: Chemical spill suspected to be cause of Cork's River Blackwater fish kill disaster

Watch: Chemical spill suspected to be cause of Cork's River Blackwater fish kill disaster

Test results are due this week to establish the cause of pollution that killed an estimated 50,000 fish in the Munster Blackwater

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

River Blackwater disaster: 'I have seen fish infections before but nothing like this'

River Blackwater disaster: 'I have seen fish infections before but nothing like this'

Anglers describe heartbreak, fear and frustration as a mass fish kill devastates the River Blackwater and threatens its future

Wed, 20 Aug, 2025

Up to 46,000 fish dead in North Cork rivers as anglers call it an ‘ecological disaster’

Up to 46,000 fish dead in North Cork rivers as anglers call it an ‘ecological disaster’

Angling clubs say up to 46,000 fish have died in Cork’s Blackwater as agencies probe cause of disaster

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Defence review shows strong public support for boosting Ireland’s maritime security

Defence review shows strong public support for boosting Ireland’s maritime security

Almost 300 submissions highlight Naval Service needs, international cooperation and protection of undersea infrastructure in maritime security consultation

Mon, 18 Aug, 2025

Large trawler restrictions welcome but careful management still needed

Large trawler restrictions welcome but careful management still needed

It has been a long road to get to this point, but will it finally result in pressure being lifted on important ecosystems and in particular the small whale populations that have abandoned the south coast in recent years for want of food asks ecologist Pádraic Fogarty

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

Ireland to ban industrial sprat fishing in inshore waters from October 2026

Ireland to ban industrial sprat fishing in inshore waters from October 2026

Ireland will phase out large-vessel sprat trawling in inshore waters by 2026 to protect vital marine species and habitats

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

HSA to begin inspections on sea fishing sector with view to reducing high fatality rate

HSA to begin inspections on sea fishing sector with view to reducing high fatality rate

Inspection campaign to focus on helping fishermen to prepare for the ‘harsh and dangerous’ conditions at sea

Fri, 30 May, 2025

Is the future of Ireland’s boarfish industry bright?

Is the future of Ireland’s boarfish industry bright?

These small red and silver fish live at depth of 40-600 metres so we don't often see them but in recent years, the boarfish fishery has contributed approximately €5 million annually to the Irish economy

Wed, 21 May, 2025

Fishers have secured €6.6m investment so far under EMFAF

Fishers have secured €6.6m investment so far under EMFAF

Investments include solar powered on-shore live holding tanks and on-board fish washing and gutting equipment

Mon, 24 Mar, 2025

Inquiry rules Cork fisherman died after 'very unfortunate common slip or fall'

Inquiry rules Cork fisherman died after 'very unfortunate common slip or fall'

A report by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) noted that it could not be determined exactly what happened to Des Hurley

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Pair trawling: Sieving the life out of small bays and estuaries

S Pair trawling: Sieving the life out of small bays and estuaries

Pair trawling involves two boats dragging a single net through the water column to scoop up shoals of small fish, usually sprats, which are no more than a few centimetres in length. The practice illustrates everything that is wrong with how the seas around Ireland are managed says ecologist, Pádraic Fogarty

Mon, 30 Dec, 2024

Showcasing Ireland's top-quality fish, seafood producers, and chefs

Showcasing Ireland's top-quality fish, seafood producers, and chefs

Food Writing Award for Irish Examiner columnist Caroline Hennessy

Fri, 08 Nov, 2024

Navy and Air Corps fishery protection patrols halved amid staff shortages and changed priorities

Navy and Air Corps fishery protection patrols halved amid staff shortages and changed priorities

Sources have said it also reflects a growing shift towards using available naval resources to monitor and protect critical infrastructure, such as subsea cables, from interference

Wed, 30 Oct, 2024

EU failing to enforce illegal fishing rules, say campaigners

EU failing to enforce illegal fishing rules, say campaigners

EU court has ruled member states do not have to disclose details of their implementation of fishing rules, a judgment environmental campaigners says will allow illegal fishing to 'remain hidden and unpunished'

Fri, 06 Sep, 2024

Agriculture accounts for majority of fish kills with most happening in Cork and Cavan

Agriculture accounts for majority of fish kills with most happening in Cork and Cavan

An analysis of the data between 1969 and 2022 shows there was a peak in fish kill reports in Ireland in the 1980s, coinciding with an intensification of agriculture

Wed, 28 Aug, 2024

The reel deal: Netting some quality time while fishing

The reel deal: Netting some quality time while fishing

Fishing brings a great sense of peace and relaxation and teaches patience and delayed gratification... catching a fish is nearly a bonus, Jonathan deBurca Butler learns from talking to keen anglers

Fri, 02 Aug, 2024

Investigation underway into 'serious' fish kill of up to 2,000 fish in Wicklow

Investigation underway into 'serious' fish kill of up to 2,000 fish in Wicklow

The species of fish discovered dead include juvenile and adult Atlantic salmon and trout, as well as lamprey

Tue, 30 Jul, 2024

West Cork and fisheries groups welcome quashing of Bantry Bay salmon farm licence

West Cork and fisheries groups welcome quashing of Bantry Bay salmon farm licence

High Court judge rules in favour of judicial review taken against the 2021 licence for a salmon farm granted to MOWI Ireland

Fri, 12 Jul, 2024

Reforms 'will not stop overfishing'

Department to issue 150 work permits for non-EEA sea crew to address shortage

Minister of State for Enterprise, Emer Higgins said the transfer will help 'streamline the permission process and make it easier to recruit non-EEA sea fishers'

Wed, 03 Jul, 2024

Irish navy is now at two thirds of its full strength

Irish navy is now at two thirds of its full strength

Naval Service should have a minimum of 1,094 personnel but Department of Defence has confirmed it only has 718 whole-time equivalents

Sun, 23 Jun, 2024

North Cork fish kill may spark legal proceedings over suspected chemical spill

North Cork fish kill may spark legal proceedings over suspected chemical spill

Minister of State Neale Richmond said that Uisce Éireann was made aware of the incident at Freemount water treatment plant

Wed, 19 Jun, 2024

Mick Clifford: Inland Fisheries Ireland’s litany of issues is like ‘RTÉ without the celebrities’

S Mick Clifford: Inland Fisheries Ireland’s litany of issues is like ‘RTÉ without the celebrities’

From its fleet of uninsured vehicles to unanswered questions about the use of Aasleagh Lodge, we are a long way from resolving the bizarre anomalies within the body charged with protecting Ireland’s rivers and lakes

Mon, 13 May, 2024

African fishermen left in murky legal waters after trawler sinks off Aran Islands

African fishermen left in murky legal waters after trawler sinks off Aran Islands

The men were recruited in their native Ghana last year under a UK visa system, but ended up working on an Irish-registered vessel

Sat, 09 Mar, 2024

BELGUIM-EEC

Irish Examiner view: Fishing industry faces a perfect storm

Immediate and imaginative support is needed to rescue Ireland's fishing industry from an existential threat

Thu, 07 Mar, 2024

Consumers will be hit with fish price hikes unless State intervenes in fishing crisis

Consumers will be hit with fish price hikes unless State intervenes in fishing crisis

The number of fish being processed by the main plants in Ireland is at the lowest level ever recorded

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Fishermen 'kept in the dark' over EU deal to allow Iceland fish in Irish waters

Fishermen 'kept in the dark' over EU deal to allow Iceland fish in Irish waters

Fishermen 'afraid Iceland will get a similar deal to the one Norway already has', which allows Norwegian fishermen to fish for 224,000 tonnes of blue whiting here

Tue, 06 Feb, 2024

McConalogue officially opens the €48m Dinish Wharf & Breakwaters at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre

Skippers say €48m West Cork wharf expansion will not benefit Irish trawlers

Dinish Wharf expansion at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre is of little use to Irish fishers given the EU quota deal, they say

Thu, 01 Feb, 2024

Anja Murray: Shameful that our activities have put our waterways in jeopardy for so long

Anja Murray: Shameful that our activities have put our waterways in jeopardy for so long

Along with water quality improvements, there is a massive role for active restoration of habitats in rivers and lakes too

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Resumption of sprat trawling in Kenmare Bay 'wiping out marine life'

Resumption of sprat trawling in Kenmare Bay 'wiping out marine life'

The resumption of sprat trawling in Kenmare Bay, Co Kerry, a protected marine area, has angered both locals and ecologists, who say it wipes out valuable feed for whales, seals, and other wildlife.

Sun, 05 Nov, 2023

Fishermen fear EU could allow Iceland access to Irish waters

Fishermen fear EU could allow Iceland access to Irish waters

Were any deal to go ahead, it could see the Icelandic fishing fleet moving into Irish waters for the first time ever

Fri, 27 Oct, 2023

Fisheries watchdog may appear before Oireachtas to explain weighing system

Fisheries watchdog may appear before Oireachtas to explain weighing system

Issue came up during sitting of the committee when Cork West TD Michael Collins read out an Irish Examiner article

Wed, 25 Oct, 2023

Fishing crisis: Confrontation looms as jobs on the line in industry’s battle for survival

S Fishing crisis: Confrontation looms as jobs on the line in industry’s battle for survival

With the Irish fishing industry already hit by a 25% quota cut and decommissioning of vessels, processors of the catch are calling for independent review of a system they claim leads to inaccurate recording of species landed

Mon, 23 Oct, 2023

Irish fishing crisis: 'Costs through the roof, quotas slashed, and the supply of fresh Irish fish hit'

Irish fishing crisis: 'Costs through the roof, quotas slashed, and the supply of fresh Irish fish hit'

Those employed in what was once a thriving industry say it has become harder and harder to make a living from fishing in Ireland

Mon, 23 Oct, 2023

Spectacular cocaine seizure shows us the level that drug gangs operate on

Spectacular cocaine seizure shows us the level that drug gangs operate on

The MV Matthew cocaine bust off Ireland's south coast illustrates the sophisticated logistics and vast sums of cash involved in drug trafficking, writes Ann Murphy

Sat, 30 Sep, 2023

Amount of suspect vessels boarded by Navy plummets since 2016

Amount of suspect vessels boarded by Navy plummets since 2016

Gardaí say the Naval Service is needed to intercept drug runners. Ireland is awash with cocaine which is coming into the country in the main via the sea

Thu, 07 Sep, 2023

ENVIRONMENT 3 Salmon

Climate change could cause reduced catches of cod and herring and spell the end of Salmon farms

Fishing industry will have to adapt to catching new species which are already increasing as our seas warm, such as anchovies, hake, and some types of sardines, expert says

Fri, 01 Sep, 2023

Number of seafood products found that could cause illness rises fourfold in a year

Number of seafood products found that could cause illness rises fourfold in a year

One customer complaint centred around a piece of metal found in a smoked salmon product

Mon, 28 Aug, 2023

Inspectors checked on just 6% of Irish trawlers in 2022

Inspectors checked on just 6% of Irish trawlers in 2022

Irish ports are experiencing an increase in the numbers of landings from British and Belgian fishing vessels

Tue, 22 Aug, 2023

Letters to the Editor: Doubts over our ability to meet rising tide in fish sector

Letters to the Editor: Doubts over our ability to meet rising tide in fish sector

One reader responds to an 'Irish Examiner' article about the depletion of Ireland's fishing fleet while others write about Gaelic football, our dependency on alcohol, and the concerns of gardaí

Sat, 12 Aug, 2023

REPEAT FOR CLIENT TO GO WITH STORY SPA

Letters to the Editor: Gone fishing abroad to try to make some sort of living

We are fishing in Biscay at this moment and I read Cormac Burke’s excellent opinion piece (Desperation is turning to anger in Ireland’s fishing industry, Irish Examiner August 7) with a heavy heart.

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023