SEPA launch investigation into reports of pollution in River Lochy as blood and fish scales spotted in water

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has launched an investigation following reports a river has been polluted with blood and fish scales near Fort William.

Locals living near to River Lochy in the Highlands initially reported seeing fish blood flow into the water on Sunday, September 29.

Pictures taken from the banks of the river on Monday, September 30, shows what appears to be a build up of scales and dead fish appearing from a nearby pipe.

Robyn Martin was out walking her dog when she started to smell blood in the air.

The local told STV News: “I first noticed something wrong when I could smell blood while out walking my dog.

” I’ve worked in restaurants most of my life so I recognised the smell. My dog also reacted strangely in the area with the smell.

“I then spotted the colour of the river and walked further towards the water to investigate, where I then took the pictures of the water flowing out the pipe.”

Jamie Moyes, from campaign group Abolish Salmon Farming, believes the influx of waste could have a significant impact on the environment

He told STV News: “At the moment there are loads of salmon scales in the river.

“There are even small cleaner fish, called wrasse, coming out of the pipe into the river. Something like this should never happen.

“At the hatcheries there should be micron filters to ensure none of the particulates get out to the sea never mind a river. Yesterday it was flowing blood but today that has passed.

Red liquid pictured in the river flowing from the pipe Robyn Martin

“There are a lot of pollutants, there will be a lot of pathogens flowing through the river so it is hard to say what the impact will be.”

SEPA has confirmed they are aware of the alleged pollution and an investigation into the incident is under way.

A spokesperson from the organisation said: “SEPA officers are investigating a potential pollution incident at River Lochy, near Fort William.

“We would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone that is concerned about a potential pollution incident to contact our 24-hour pollution reporting line as soon as possible. This can be done through our online form at www.sepa.org.uk/report.”

Mowi Scotland, who are the UK’s largest supplier of farm raised salmon, operate a facility at the nearby Blar Mhor industrial estate.

Following an internal investigation, the company believes the pollution didn’t originate from their site.

A spokesperson from the business said: “Mowi has undertaken its own investigation into the incident at the River Lochy where local people reported a red discharge. Mowi is confident that the discharge did not come from its facility at the Blar Mhor Industrial Estate.

“Mowi has checked all its operating procedures as well as the effluent system and CCTV. The effluent is cleaned onsite by a water treatment process that removes contaminants from water. Following this process, the effluent is only discharged to the Scottish Water treatment works at Caol Point.

“Mowi is not the only business which processes this type of material on the Blar Mhor Industrial Estate but is the only one regulated by SEPA under IPPC regulations.

“Mowi will continue to work with SEPA and Scottish Water as they look to identify the source of the discharge incident.”