Alan Shatter
Question:112 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Marine the total number of fish killed as a result of water pollution in 1989; and the total number of pollution incidents in 1989.
Written Answers. - Fish Kills.
One hundred and twelve fish kills were recorded by my Department in the period in question. It is estimated that around 34,000 fish were killed.
The number of fish kills during 1989 while higher than in 1988 (50 kills) was about nine per cent lower than in 1987 (122 kills). Low water due to dry weather conditions was the most important cause of fish kills in 1989 raising the number of kills by 50 per cent. Despite weather conditions, fish kills due to agricultural causes showed little change on the 1988 level — thus maintaining the substantial reduction in kills due to these causes achieved in 1988.