River Spey 'pollution incident' may be killing fish and making people sick
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A suspected 'pollution incident' on the River Spey may have killed over 50 fish and caused both dogs and people to become unwell.
The Spey Fishery Board says that reports began last Saturday of numerous dead salmon and sea trout floating in the water around Ballindalloch and Knockando.
These reports have since grown in number over the course of the week, and now span a 15 to 18-mile stretch of the river including up to Grantown.
Roger Knight, the board's director, said: "We suspect that the cause has been a major pollution incident so we contacted SEPA's hotline on Monday.
"A child who went swimming in the River Spey at Carron and Laggan, near Aberlour, has since been reported as becoming unwell afterwards.
"Allied to that there's anecdotal evidence of a group of walkers becoming ill from drinking filtered water from the river near Aberlour.
"In addition there have also been reports of dogs being unwell after going in the river."
The Fish Health Inspectorate has since taken away samples from 19 dead fish for laboratory analysis.
Meanwhile, SEPA has been conducting tests on the river to measure both its water temperature and pH level.
Mr Knight says the Spey Fishery Board has written to all the MSPs through whose constituencies the river flows in order to inform them of the "evolving situation".
He added that staff from the board have been walking the river bank to try to ascertain the cause and source of the problem.
Members of the public who witness anything of potential interest are urged to email the local branch of SEPA, providing details and, if possible, both photographs and locations.
The address is GS@sepa.co.uk
