A major pollution incident on a tributary of the River Spey in Scotland has killed significant fish and wildlife, according to local reports. Duncan Ferguson, director of the Spey Fishery Board, said it was one of the largest he has seen in 36 years, affecting a two-kilometre stretch of the Knockando burn. The chemical involved is thought to be industrially linked, he added.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) confirmed it is investigating the incident. A spokesman for the agency said it is working to identify the source and measure the full environmental impact. According to Ferguson, there are indications the contaminant may be caustic soda, a corrosive substance used in industrial processes. According to Ferguson, the chemical destroyed several species in the Knockando burn. Sepa stated that the exact substance and how it entered the water are still under investigation. Sepa has asked anyone with information about the spill to contact the agency. The investigation includes water sampling and tracing of potential discharge points, the spokesman added.
Local anglers have reported that the salmon population in the Knockando burn appears to have been completely wiped out. They expressed deep concern, saying it could take many years for the salmon population to recover, as the burn is a vital spawning habitat. The Spey Fishery Board described the Knockando burn as a critical spawning tributary for the Spey’s salmon. The board warned that the complete wipeout could have broader ecological consequences and that recovery would be prolonged.
The pollution has struck at the height of the fly fishing season. It comes just ten days after another pollution event on a Spey tributary, when white paint was spilled into the Burn of Carron, also killing salmon.
While Sepa officials continue their fieldwork, the full extent of the wildlife kill and the precise source of the contaminant are still being assessed. Long-term ecological recovery will depend on the severity of the damage, the board cautioned. Ferguson noted he has rarely seen such damage, underlining the seriousness of the situation. According to the board, it may be weeks before the total damage is understood. The Spey Fishery Board urged the public to come forward with any information as the investigation continues.