The Lough Neagh Partnership Manager, Gerry Darby, recently gave evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in the UK Houses of Parliament on issues surrounding Lough Neagh.
Mr Darby was one of four representatives providing evidence, alongside NI Water, the Ulster Farmers’ Union, and the Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative. Minister Muir and his departmental colleagues also contributed to the discussion through a follow-on video conference session.
Questions and discussions covered a range of topics, including the causes of blue-green algae, the main sources of nutrient overload, and other pressures contributing to the loss of habitat and species around the Lough. The possible effects of sand extraction were also explored.
Mr Darby highlighted the importance of recognising not only the impact of blue-green algae on water quality, but also the significant loss of semi-natural habitats — together, these are two of the main driving forces behind species decline across the Lough.
He told the committee that “12 percent of all species on and around the Lough are close to extinction, and there are now only four breeding pairs of curlew along a shoreline of nearly 100 miles.”
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will now consider the evidence provided by all witnesses and produce a report with recommendations from a wider UK perspective on how the issues facing Lough Neagh can begin to be addressed.
