Pollution claims after Wester Ross fisherman catches dead prawns ‘smelling of bleach’
Claims of a “serious pollution incident” in a Wester Ross loch have been made, after a fisherman reported catching dead prawns smelling “strongly of bleach”.
Around 10km south of Kyle of Lochalsh, Loch Hourn separates the peninsulas of Glenelg and Knoydart in Wester Ross.
It is claimed by Friends of Loch Hourn (FoLH) that a “serious pollution incident poisoned a large area of the seabed,” during the night of April 19,
The group, a community-run organisation with over 100 members concerned about the “changing ecology” of Loch Hourn, claims that a few days later, a local prawn creel fisher contacted them to explain that he had caught a species of prawn not normally caught in creels along with worms and other creatures, all dead and smelling strongly of bleach.
FoLH said the fisherman also observed that his creels, which usually had fouling and growth, were now clean — only four days since he last checked them.
“Two days later on April 24, an adjacent area was traversed by a small trawler that hauled a net full of small dead marine animals, also with the stench of bleach,” FoLH said in a statement.
“This [incident] gives us cause for concern regarding the potential for long-term, potentially decadal damage to Loch Hourn’s benthic (water bottom) habitats.”
FoLH continued: “It is not clear exactly what happened. The reported odour of bleach strongly suggests a chlorine-based compound, and the fact that these tend to sink and do not break down quickly raises the possibility that this pollution could spread even more widely through tidal action.
“Make no mistake, this is not some minor incident, but in reality something closer to an oil spill. Just because it is all on the seabed, maybe 100 metres down, with nothing to see from the surface does not alter the fact that this is an ecological catastrophe.
“The Marine Directorate is now in possession of witness statements, photographs and frozen samples.”
FoLH went on to criticise a “lack of urgency” from relevant authorities in starting a formal investigation.
A spokesperson for Mowi, which runs a salmon farm at Loch Hourn, said: “Mowi is fully cooperating with SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) regarding a complaint relating to the recovery of creels containing dead worms and small juvenile prawns approximately 4km from Mowi’s farm at Loch Hourn.
“Having conducted our own investigation, we conclude that there is no evidence to suggest that there is any linkage to our Loch Hourn fish farm.
“Reports of vessels allegedly discharging anything that could impact the marine environment in this vicinity are false and misleading. All vessels in the area in the time period in question were carrying out normal, recognised activities in support of farming operations. No vessel undertook any cleaning or disinfection activities during their time at the Loch Hourn farm and even if they had, this process is also subject to stringent regulations which pose no risk to the marine environment.
“Mowi has a responsibility for the health and welfare of our salmon and the environment that surrounds our sites, and we would not undertake any activity that would have an adverse effect on the health of our fish or the marine environment.
“Scottish salmon meets world-leading animal health and welfare standards and our sector has some of the strongest environmental regulations anywhere in the world.”
A spokesperson for SEPA confirmed it had been made aware by a member of the public of a potential pollution incident at Loch Hourn on April 24.
“We responded quickly to the report, identified this was outwith SEPA’s remit and swiftly passed details to partners to investigate,” they said.
“We would encourage anyone who spots signs of a potential pollution incident to contact SEPA immediately via the Pollution Hotline 0800 80 70 60 or online at www.sepa.org.uk/report.”
