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Blue-green algae blooms in Martray Lough

BBC A lough with blue-green algae present in the water. There are trees surrounding the lough. There are water reeds dotted across the lough and a brown wooden platform to the left.BBC
The lough is located near Ballygawley

The presence of blue-green algae in Martray Lough near Ballygawley is "disheartening", the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) has said.

With the recent good weather, Daera said it was "no surprise that we are beginning to see algae-blooms re-appear again this year".

However, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has not received any reports of blue-green algae in Lough Neagh.

The scale and severity of algae blooms this summer will "be dependent on a number of factors," a Daera spokesperson said.

In the past two years Lough Neagh - the largest freshwater lake in the UK - has been badly affected by algae.

The algae are bacteria, which can cause skin irritation and sickness in people who come into contact with it, but the biggest risk is to pets, livestock and wildlife.

Along with invasive species in the form of water-clearing zebra mussels, and the weather effects of climate change, the perfect conditions were created for the potentially toxic algae to bloom from the depths where it has always been present.

A sign on a brown wooden fence with silver metal wire. The sign is white with 'caution blue-green algae' on a yellow rectangle, there are warnings against swimming and to keep dogs on leads.
The department said the algae blooms are "no surprise" given the recent good weather

A Daera spokesperson said its minister, Andrew Muir, had repeatedly said there were "no quick fixes to the issues in Lough Neagh, with problems decades in the making and decades in the fixing".

Speaking at an Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committee meeting on Thursday, Muir said: "Spring should be about renewal not news reports of blue-green algae.

"Significant work is already under way to tackle the nutrient overload in our rivers, lakes and loughs.

"I will continue to lead and seek support for the tough decisions needed over the time ahead to improve our waterways and tackle climate change."

'A perfect storm'

A man with short brown hair standing in front of the lough and trees. He has multi-coloured spotted white shirt on and a black body warmer.
Local councillor Mark Robinson believes there are a number of factors that contribute to the presence of blue-green algae

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councillor Mark Robinson believes the recent warm weather has "played a big factor" in the presence of the blue-green algae at the County Tyrone lough.

"There are a number of factors that play into it and maybe it is just a perfect storm at the minute," he said.

"I don't think it is a case of wanting to blame anybody here, I think it is a case of highlighting the fact it's an issue. It needs to be addressed, Stormont do need to investigate."

Robinson said he has driven along the road past the lough for many years and it has had blue-green algae on it for as long as he can remember.

"I know people automatically jump in to blame the farmer for it but I don't think that is the case, there's a lot of issues that cause it," he added.

'Very concerning'

Sinn Féin councillor Gael Gildernew said the "potentially toxic algae" in the water at Martray Lough is "very concerning from an environmental perspective".

"I would urge people to follow the guidance where advised, as signs have been erected warning people not to enter the water or allow their pets to do so," the Clogher Valley councillor said.

"In the meantime, I will remain in contact with the NIEA for regular updates on the conditions at Martray Lough and on what is being done to aid its recovery."