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Perspectives on Lough Neagh

Biodiversity

Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland, is the heart of a vast interconnected aquatic ecosystem, from its surrounding catchment area to the rivers which flow into it and flow out to the north coast.

In recent years, that heart has been under increasing pressure and, in 2023, an unprecedented blue-green algal bloom appeared, causing immense public interest and which was visible from space.

In this video we meet Sara McGuckin, Head of Natural Science, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, NIEA, who shares her perspective on the biodiversity of Lough Neagh.

A site of extraordinary national and international importance, Lough Neagh holds multiple conservation designations – a Ramsar wetland of international importance, a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds, and an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) for its rich biodiversity.

This unique ecosystem supports rare fish, birds, plants, and habitats, and is central to Northern Ireland’s natural heritage.

Covering over 40% of Northern Ireland’s land drainage, the health of Lough Neagh is tied to the health of Northern Ireland itself.

The biodiversity here is irreplaceable. Protecting Lough Neagh is not just about saving wildlife, it’s about securing clean air, water, and resilience in the face of a changing climate for the next generation.

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