More damaging algae found in another Tyrone waterway

THE reporting of more algae in another Tyrone waterway has been described as a ‘worrying’ development.

Brantry Lough, between Dungannon and Aughnacloy, was seen last week with a thick green bloom within its waters.

Other blooms in Martray Lough, Ballygawley, Lough Neagh, Cookstown, and Ballysaggart Lough, Dungannon have been reported recently.

Independent Mid-Ulster councillor Kevin McElvogue, pointed at the potential use of pollutants for this rapid growth of algae.

“This is a very worrying development in our lakes and loughs so early in the year,” he said.

“Like in Martray lough, this algae has been growing for months, and that’s before we even got this warm spell.

“I don’t understand how the algae in these loughs have grown expeditiously without the heat – there must be something else at play.

“One man I spoke to said he seen stones near the shoreline which had been made pure white. That to me would suggest that there are chemicals flowing into the water which may be a factor causing this.

“I will be contacting the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and other agencies to keep on top of this issue and see what is causing this growth,” added Cllr McElvouge.

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) said, “Minister Andrew Muir is on record a number of times saying that there are no quick fixes, with problems decades in the making and decades in the fixing.

“It is therefore unfortunately no surprise that we are beginning to see algae-blooms re-appear again this year, particularly with the good weather.

“The severity and scale of the problem we will be facing this summer will be dependent on a number of factors.”

They added, “Work is well underway to tackle the problem through the Lough Neagh Action Plan and the minister is determined to turn the tide on water quality, but we know that this will be a long-term endeavour.

“NIEA encourages members of the public to report a suspected bloom through the Bloomin’ Algae App or e-mail emergency-pollution@daera-ni.gov.uk with a photo, if possible, and details on the location of the potential bloom…

“The NIEA will continue to record events and review any significant increase in bloom numbers.”