Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the recent mass killing of fish at the Ahabeg and Roancarrig sites in Mowi Ireland in Bantry Bay.
An estimated 80,000 farmed salmon, worth up to €2.4 million, are believed to have been wiped out by a massive toxic plankton boom off Cork linked to climate change.
Scientists from the Naval Institute and other experts are now investigating the incident that destroyed the stock at Mowi Ireland fish farm operations in Bantry Bay.
A spokesperson for the Maritime Institute (MI) said: Phytoplankton breeding is currently observed in the southwest, leading to brown discoloration of the water in some areas.
A spokesperson for Mowi Ireland, the major Norway-based seafood company, confirmed He said the accident occurred in late October, but said the extent of the losses had not been determined «definitively».
Mowi Ireland notified the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Sea (DAFM) of a recent incident at its Bantry Bay, Cork sites in late October.
“The sites concerned at Ahabeg and Runcarj have been affected by the toxic plankton breeding which has resulted in high stock mortality rates.
The spokesman said they are trying to find out the exact cause of the accident.
“The company’s veterinary experts and site management are closely monitoring the situation with a view to establishing all relevant key details and contributing factors as part of its investigation.
“The company regrets the loss of stock and is doing everything in its power to mitigate the impact of the normal toxic plankton breeding which is exacerbated by warm waters and leads to the spread of various types of harmful plankton.
«The Naval Institute along with other experts and academics are also participating in various investigations to determine the exact cause of the accident,» the spokesman added.