Pollution Incident in Moray River
A pollution incident in Moray has resulted in the death of a significant number of fish and other wildlife, including eels and birds.
A chemical, believed to be caustic soda, is understood to have entered the water at the Knockando burn, which flows into the River Spey, within the last few days.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has stated that it is investigating the incident, which has impacted a stretch of the burn extending more than a mile (2km).
Fly fishers have reported that the salmon population in the burn has been wiped out and may require years to recover.
Impact on Salmon Population
Duncan Ferguson, director of the Spey Fishery Board, described the event as a "tragic event" and one of the largest pollution incidents he has witnessed in his 36 years working on the river.
"It's a really bad outcome and it didn't have to happen."
Ferguson added that the salmon population could face a recovery period of up to five years.
He also noted that the chemical is believed to be linked to industrial activity.
The spill occurred during the peak season for fly fishing on the Spey.
Official Response
A Sepa spokesman commented:
"We are investigating a potential pollution incident in a tributary of the River Spey and are working to identify the source and impacts."
Previous Pollution Incident in River Spey Tributary
Last month, a number of salmon died following a spill of white paint into the Burn of Carron, another tributary of the River Spey.
The pollution incident near Aberlour caused the water to turn a milky white color and emit a turpentine-like smell.
Initial investigations traced the source of the spill back to a layby on the A95.
At that time, Peter Graham, chairman of the Spey Fishery Board, said:
"This is heart-breaking after all the hard work by our staff that has gone into trying to rejuvenate the river, only to see it damaged in this way by what appears to be fly-tipping."
