A pollution incident has killed a significant number of fish and other wildlife on a tributary of the River Spey in Scotland. A chemical, thought to be caustic soda, is understood to have entered the water and destroyed several species at the Knockando burn in recent days.
Investigation Underway
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) says it is investigating a potential pollution incident on the burn. Fly fishers report that the salmon population at the burn has been wiped out and could take years to recover.
Expert Reaction
Duncan Ferguson, director of the Spey Fishery Board, described the incident as one of the largest he had seen in 36 years of working on the river. A two-kilometre stretch of the Knockando burn has been affected. He stated: 'It’s a tragic event. It’s a really bad outcome, and it didn’t have to happen.' He added that the salmon population could face a five-year recovery period, with the stretch of burn destroyed.
The chemical is thought to be industrially linked, according to Ferguson. The pollution incident occurs at the peak period for fly fishing on the Spey and just 10 days after another pollution incident at a Spey tributary, where salmon died after white paint was spilt into the Burn of Carron.
Sepa Response
A spokesman for Sepa said: 'Sepa are investigating a potential pollution incident in a tributary of the River Spey and is working to identify the source and impacts.'
Previous Incidents
In March, the Environment Agency was investigating a pollution incident after orange discharge was found in a stream in Cornwall. The water at Nansmellyn Marsh Nature Reserve and Bolingey Stream in Perranporth turned a bright orange colour. Officers from the Environment Agency have been at the site investigating the source and impact of the contaminated water. In a later update, the parish council said the Environment Agency confirmed the orange substance is iron ochre, one of the minerals that make up iron ore.
This latest incident highlights ongoing environmental challenges in UK waterways, with industrial spills causing severe damage to aquatic ecosystems.
