Today we’re sharing Salmon Watch Ireland’s  Blackwater Report (Sept 2025). It summarises the Inter-Agency investigation into the August fish mortalities on the Munster Blackwater and sets out what must happen next.

While we appreciate the efforts of all agencies and stakeholders it is none the less alarming that no definitive cause was identified. Whether this was the result of investigation taking too long to sample critical parameters or that event had occurred days before and had become non-detectable it should serve as a call to action by all to monitor and protect water quality.

While we appreciate calls to actively restock these areas affected by the kill, we would suggest that natural recolonisation might be a better long term solution.

What’s inside

• Up to 32,000 salmon and trout lost; oxygen levels normal; no single toxin identified.
• Macroinvertebrates rated Q4–Q5 (Good–High), pointing to a short-lived irritant — but on top of chronic nutrient enrichment.
• Strong enforcement measures urged, including indictment and licence suspension for persistent polluters, plus continuous monitoring of all discharges.

• Calls to reform the nitrates derogation, deploy real-time sensors, and build Irish lab capacity for pollutant & algal toxin testing.