Farmers and fisheries boards in anti-pollution drive

A major initiative to combat the pollution of inland fisheries has been launched by the Irish Farmers Association and the Regional Fisheries Board.

The farming sector has been identified as being the largest single contributor of effluent from fertilisers that leach into waterways from adjoining lands.

The resultant eutrophication of lakes sees algae blooms use up all the oxygen in the water, with accompanying large scale fish kills.

The Minister for the Marine, Frank Fahy, said he hopes the new protocol will restore and maintain water quality for years to come.