Fish kill probe is 'complicated'

Hundreds of dead salmon were found on the river

An investigation into a fish kill on the River Roe near Limavady is proving more complicated than previously thought, the DoE has said.

Anglers found hundreds of dead salmon and sea trout on Friday. They have blamed "chemicals" for the pollution.

A DoE spokeswoman said samples had been taken from the river, but it was not clear when the results would be back. The polluter has not been identified.

There are fears the incident could be worse than a pollution spill in 1982.

That incident virtually wiped out the river's salmon and sea trout population.

The DoE's water pollution team has been at the site of the fish kill since the discovery was made.

An aerator was put in place to help prevent further loss of fish.

On Monday, Angler Cathal McGuigan said it was a major catastrophe with fish actually coming out of the water to escape the pollution.

Sean McCloskey, President of the Roe Anglers' Association, said a similar incident more than 20 years ago had almost decimated the fish population.

Anglers are convinced that some form of chemical is to blame for the fish deaths, but the situation is being exacerbated by a lack of rainfall.

Some have said the only solution is to open up one of the dams which could then wash the pollution out of the river.