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Pollution & fish kills

Dead or distressed fish, a discharge, foam, an oil sheen or a strong smell? Act now: report first, stay safe, record everything. You don't need to be certain — if it looks wrong, report it.

Seeing it now?

Ring IFI — 0818 34 74 24

Inland Fisheries Ireland, 24 hours, confidential — always the first call. IFI leads the national response and brings in the other agencies.

Start a guided report — calls, photos, facts

The four steps

  1. Stay safe. Never enter the water, drains, culverts or private land.
  2. Make the calls. Phone first — IFI always, then the complaints line; add others by what you see.
  3. Record the facts. Time, place, what you see and smell, rough numbers, photos from a safe spot.
  4. The do-nots. Never name anyone, take samples, or move dead fish.

Who to call

Inland Fisheries IrelandAlways

Always — dead or distressed fish, or any suspected pollution. IFI leads the national response; your call sets it in motion.

0818 34 74 24
National Environmental Complaints LineAlways

Always — logs the complaint nationally and routes it to the right council, any hour.

1800 365 123
Uisce Éireann

If a sewer, wastewater plant or public water main may be involved.

1800 278 278
EPA

If a licensed industrial or waste site may be the source.

0818 33 55 99
NIEA pollution hotline

On Northern Ireland waters — water pollution and fish kills.

0800 80 70 60
Loughs Agency

On the Foyle or Carlingford systems (cross-border) — the Agency is lead there.

+44 28 7134 2100
Emergency services

Immediate danger, a confrontation, or a crime in progress.

999

All lines 24 hours. Your county council takes reports too — the complaints line routes to the right one at any hour. Numbers verified 17 July 2026.

Know it before you need it

Spot the signsFive things that mean report it now — you don't need to be certain.DraftNot every fish kill is pollutionHot still weather, low oxygen and disease all kill fish — report it the same way and never guess at a cause.DraftReport first, record secondPhone first — email and photos are follow-up. IFI leads the national response, and your call sets it in motion.DraftThe do-notsDon't enter the water, don't name anyone, don't take samples, don't move dead fish.DraftCheck, Clean, DryAfter any suspect water — check your gear, clean it, and dry it fully before fishing anywhere else.Draft