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High risk of fish kills in hot weather, says Inland Fisheries Ireland

Fish populations may come under ‘thermal stress’ as air and water temperatures soar and water levels drop.

INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND has warned that there is a high risk of fish kills as water temperatures rise due to the hot weather.

Possible heatwave conditions and temperatures well into the 20s are closing in with high heat expected in many parts of the country over the next few days.

Inland Fisheries Ireland said today that fish populations may come under “thermal stress” as air and water temperatures soar and water levels drop.

Oxygen levels in water decrease as the water heats up, which can put fish at risk of death as they struggle to breathe.

Dr Gregory Forde, Head of Operations at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Once the water temperature exceeds 20 degrees Celsius, fish species such as salmon and trout suffer ‘thermal stress’. During the current heat wave, air and water temperatures are approaching dangerous levels and fish kills may be unavoidable.

“In some instances, moving fish in and out of the water may also prove too stressful. That’s why we’re asking anglers practicing catch and release fishing to consider taking a break from fishing while high-temperature warnings are in place.

“We’re also asking anglers to voluntarily stop using ‘keep nets’, until conditions become more favourable.”

Forde added: “It is also a good time to remind all those using pesticides that these should be used only as a last resort, always in accordance with product instructions and always respecting statutory ‘no-use’ zones, being mindful at all times of proximity to water bodies such as ditches, streams, ponds, rivers, lakes and springs. Even a very small amount of pesticide can be highly toxic to the aquatic environment.”

To report sightings of fish suffering from thermal stress or fish kill incidents, members of the public are encouraged to call Inland Fisheries Ireland’s confidential 24-hour hotline number on 0818 34 74 24, which is open seven days a week.

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    Mar 10th 2020, 12:57 PM

    But luckily, tutorials can still go ahead, because TAs are dispensable, and over-crowded, un-ventilated tutorial rooms give plenty of room for social distancing. Paddy Prendergast is a virus to Trinity, never mind Covid-19!

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    Mar 10th 2020, 1:13 PM

    @Joe Vlogs: exactly my thoughts .. and as for labs even with protective clothing, you’re still around however many other students that are carrying out the experiment with you.. doesn’t really leave much meaning for “keeping distance from each other” .. I don’t think this was thought thoroughly.

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    Mar 10th 2020, 1:45 PM

    @Joe Vlogs: i’d have some respect for U if U put your real name to the comment

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    Mar 10th 2020, 2:29 PM

    @brian oconnell: I am devastated you don’t respect me. I used to use my genuine name, but I got tired of being stopped on the street to be asked for autographs from the likes of Ross O’Carroll-Kelly, so I used this instead. I didn’t think the validity of my points were dependent on my name and avatar.

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    Mar 10th 2020, 1:05 PM

    We need to be proactive rather than constantly reactive. Anybody capable of working from home should be sent home asap.

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    Mar 10th 2020, 1:14 PM

    @The Risen: most jobs that require you to sit behind a computer for 9 hours straight, so.

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    Mute Teddy
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    Mar 10th 2020, 5:24 PM

    Well done Trinity, hopefully the government will use some proactive measures too!

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    Mar 10th 2020, 1:00 PM

    Shh about to hit the fan. If anyone there is exposed already, they will be up and about in town. People need to get the right information so they can self isolate.

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    Mar 10th 2020, 12:53 PM

    Book of Kells is infected.

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    Mar 10th 2020, 4:12 PM

    @zachary vvm: Americanos won’t be happy they can’t see the book of Kelly

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    Mar 10th 2020, 6:11 PM

    A local race of 200 runners outdoors has been cancelled yet kids cooped up all day in close proximity in schools is ok! Assemblies of 300+ taking place regularly.

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