§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fish kills have been reported on Kellswater, County Antrim, in the 12 months ended 30 June; what was the location and cause of each fish kill; on how many occasions prosecutions have taken place in respect of the above fish kills and on how many occasions(a) the chief executive of the fisheries Conservancy Board (NI) has recommended no prosecution to the Fisheries Conservancy Board; how many reported incidents of failure to protect fish with special reference to smolts in Northern Ireland, have resulted in (a) prosecution and (b) no prosecution; and if all reported fish kills are brought to the attention of the Fisheries Conservancy Board (NI) by the chief executive of the Fisheries Conservancy Board. [33269]
§ Mr. AncramIn the 12 month period ended 30 June 1995 two reports of fish kills on the Kellswater river, Co Antrim, were received and investigated by the Fisheries Conservancy Board.
The first fish kill occurred between Wiggleton weir and Shankbridge. No discharge was detected at the time of investigation. However, the source is believed to be an industrial discharge, coupled with unusually high water temperatures and low oxygen levels in the river.
The second fish kill occurred below Shankbridge and is under investigation. In the first case the chief executive did not pursue prosecutions due to insufficient evidence. Statutory water samples have been taken in the second 636W case with a view to prosecution. Prosecutions are recommended in those cases where water samples have been taken and the analysis supports prosecution.
During the last year the Fisheries Conservancy Board issued 29 warning letters for failures by persons or organisations to protect fish with special reference to smolts in Northern Ireland under the provisions of section 659 of the Fisheries Act (NI) 1966. Of these 15 have applied for or have been granted an exemption by the Department of Agriculture from the requirements of section 59 of the Act, four are now complying with the Act, four are being considered for prosecution, three are still within the three-month warning period during which they must take action to comply and three are under further investigation.
The board has records of a further five cases where files have been prepared for prosecution. One of these cases has been successfully prosecuted, two have subsequently complied with the Act and two are awaiting prosecution.
The chief executive of the Fisheries Conservancy Board advises the board of all fish kills and resulting action from investigations.