Official estimates show up to 10,000 fish have died in the past fortnight however anglers say it's closer to 40,000
Preliminary results from the Marine Institute show an "environmental irritant" may be responsible for the fish kill with virology results due towards the end of August
Speaking to RedFM News Fianna Fail TD Padraig O'Sullivan says the impact of the kill on angling clubs and the local economy has been devastating:
“The other knock-on effects this would have for when there is tourists in the region- so obviously if somebody coming fishing in the Blackwater they would obviously possibly go into Mallow or into Cork city on their travels as well and it’s the other spending they would do. It’s hard to quantify exactly but it’s substantial for the people living and trying to eke out a living in those areas.”
