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River Spey Dead Fish - Appeal for Information

Date published: 18 September 2023

Environmental incident

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is appealing for information regarding an incidence of circa 50 dead fish across an 18 mile stretch of the River Spey since Saturday 9th September.

SEPA was alerted to fish deaths on Monday 11th September by the Spey Fishery Board but despite water sampling and ongoing inspections by officers, the agency has found no evidence of a recent pollution event.

SEPA is continuing to work with the Spey Fishery Board and the Fish Health Inspectorate of Marine Scotland regarding the incident. The Fish Health Inspectorate is the lead body responsible for fish mortalities.

David Ogilvie, Senior Manager for Environmental Performance at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

“Despite water sampling and ongoing inspections by officers, we’ve found no evidence of a pollution event that would have resulted in fish mortality on this scale.

"We’re continuing to work closely with partners, including the Fish Health Inspectorate who lead on fish moralities. The Fish Health Inspectorate will analyse samples in due course.

Meantime we’re asking anyone with any information to contact SEPA online or by calling our Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”