A pollution incident on a tributary of the River Spey in Moray has resulted in the deaths of a significant number of fish and other wildlife, including eels and birds. The chemical, believed to be caustic soda, is thought to have entered the water and 'destroyed' several species in the Knockando burn over recent days.
Extent of the Damage
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) is currently investigating the potential pollution incident. Fly fishers report that the salmon population in the burn has been completely wiped out, and recovery could take years. Duncan Ferguson, director of the Spey Fishery Board, described the incident as one of the largest he had witnessed in 36 years working on the river, with a two-kilometre stretch of the Knockando burn affected.
Ferguson told the Press Association: '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 require a five-year period of recovery, with the two-kilometre stretch of the burn being 'destroyed'. The chemical is suspected to be industrially linked.
Timing and Previous Incidents
The pollution incident occurs at the peak period for fly fishing on the Spey, and just ten days after another pollution event on a Spey tributary. Earlier, a number of salmon died after white paint was spilled into the Burn of Carron.
A Sepa spokesman stated: 'Sepa are investigating a potential pollution incident in a tributary of the River Spey and are working to identify the source and impacts.'
