More surveys this year to check for health of rivers

OFFICIALS from Loughs Agency are to continue monitoring the health of rivers affected by the Meenbog landslide on the border between Tyrone and Donegal in 2020.

The landslide occurred in an area where construction of a windfarm was taking place.

Following initial surveys on the Mourne Beg River in 2023, the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs says further examinations will take place in 2024.

Minister Andrew Muir was responding to a question from West Tyrone Sinn Fein MLA, Maoliosa McHugh, about whether an assessment had taken place of the impact of the Meenbog landslide on aquatic life in both the Mourne Beg and Derg Rivers.

In response, the Alliance politician said that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency had conducted an invertebrate assessment in 2020 and 2021 at several locations downstream from the Meenbog landslide.

“These included the Shruhangarve Burn, the Mourne Beg River and the Derg River,” he said.

“The assessment concluded the Shruhangarve Burn, which was impacted by the peat landslide, made a full recovery between December 2020 and November 2021 for invertebrates.

“The competent fishing authority, Loughs Agency, undertook electrofishing surveys on the Mourne Beg River in 2021 and 2021. The surveys focused on the presence/absence of salmonid and distribution in the Mourne Beg River.

“The results were compared to historical long-term datasets to assess the impact on salmonid populations and it was recommended that there was a need for continued investigations for at least a four-year cycle. This timeframe will allow for a full salmonid lifecycle to be completed and will enable more complete conclusions to be drawn about the impact of the landslide.”

Mr McHugh praised the Loughs Agency for their work in relation to assessing the long-term impact of the landslide.

“Previous surveys in this area have been fairly positive and it is to be welcomed that more surveys are to take place to look at the longer-term health of the Mourne Beg and Derg Rivers and the Shruhangarve Burn,” he said.

“It’s good to see that they are continuing to monitor to ensure that there isn’t an impact, particularly on the salmon population. This is an important area for the salmon population and for salmon fishing.”