Minister briefed over crisis at Movanagher Fish Farm

NORTHERN Ireland’s new Environment Minister may be asked to authorise a cull at Movanagher Fish Farm to prevent the spread of zebra mussels.

The invasive species has been present in Lough Neagh since 2003 and more recently the mussels have invaded the River Bann.

The Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) warns they can have “significant environmental impacts.”

In June last year they were found in the department’s Movanagher facility.

The discovery prompted a suspension of movements of live fish for stocking rivers and lakes across the Province.

Last year’s toxic blue green algae bloom was blamed to a large extent on the presence of zebra mussels. They feed by filtering particles from the water and as a result remove food normally available to other species such as swan mussels.

The resulting increased water clarity allows sunlight to penetrate deeper, leading to increased nuisance algae growth.

The zebra mussels presence at Movanagher was described by officials as “an immediate key challenge” in a briefing document handed to Minster Muir on his first day in office.

“A decision is required on the future of stocking from Movanagher Fish Farm, including the cull of most of the remaining fish,” the document states.

Read the full story in this week's Chronicle.