Two years ago algal blooms in Lough Neagh, the UKās largest freshwater lake, were so severe they caught international attention. Plans were drawn up and debated, but now it looks like the issue is firmly back in the news.
Dr Les Gornall, an expert in Anaerobic Digestion and animal slurries and a keen supporter of EBNet, has been raising this issue for some time and has often called for actionĀ –Ā most recently a few days ago:
Campaigners call for urgent action as potentially toxic blue-green algae appears for a third summer in Lough Neagh – BBC Radio Ulster
A piece in the latest CIWEM Newsletter by Mark Horton, all-Ireland Director of The Rivers Trust, also looks at the history of the issue and how blue-green algae are disrupting ecosystems and threatening public health.
Lough Neaghās freshwater emergency – CIWEM
For more on causes and solutions,Ā see some suggestions from Dr Gornall and colleagues on the links below:
Pollution plan āmust cut intensive farming for Lough Neagh to surviveā –Ā The Guardian 2024
Image of Lough Neagh shoreline in late August 2025, courtesy of Dr Les Gornall
