Why is Lough Neagh dying? Northern Ireland’s most precious wildlife site is facing disaster

Lough Neagh is one of Northern Ireland’s most precious wildlife sites. The Lough also supplies 40% of Northern Ireland's drinking water. It's supposed to be protected under international, European, and Northern Ireland law. Yet it's facing disaster.

Toxic blooms of blue-green algae, which are a result of fertilizer run-off from farming, have made the water a major health hazard. Water quality is poor, and birds and fish are disappearing.

This pollution can’t be ignored.

What’s at risk?

The Lough represents the soul of Northern Ireland. The Lough is vast. Bigger than the country of Malta, and has been a haven for wildlife, wellbeing, traditional fishing communities and recreation. But it’s now so badly polluted from sewage and agricultural pollution, that it’s dying.

As one of our most important living ecosystems, the Lough deserves care and support. Our director in Northern Ireland, James Orr, spoke to Sky News. He explains what's killing the Lough and how the toxic blue-green algae is killing animals and making people sick.

Why is Lough Neagh dying?
Why is Lough Neagh dying?

Rising up to protect Lough Neagh

A women laying a wreath on a coffin for Lough Neagh

Lough Neagh is dying, so we held a wake

Hundreds of local people and over 20 campaign groups gathered on the shores and held a wake for Lough Neagh in September 2023. The stinking green water is a very upsetting and embarrassing environmental disaster.

Very disguising build up of green-algae in water. Looks toxic and dirty.

Local communities making their voices heard

People from all over Northern Ireland are rising up to protect this precious habitat. In October 2023, hundreds of people marched through Belfast to demand urgent action to end the environmental crisis at Lough Neagh. People will keep pushing for solutions that'll help breathe life back into the Lough.

3 swans on a misty Lough Neagh

Imagining a settlement

In December 2023, we held an event that brought people together to discuss the crisis at Lough Neagh and think about what a just settlement for the Lough might look like. The ideas shared through participation in this event will help with the creation of a Lough Neagh Recovery Plan.

Help fight the ecological emergency

BECOME A MEMBER

Declaring a crime scene

Lough Neagh is dying and so we staged a stunt and declared the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) offices a crime scene.

NIEA which is part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has systematically failed to regulate pollution and protect wildlife and local communities. We believe that DAERA have failed to comply with the Water Framework Directive, Habitats Directive, Wildlife and Natural Environment Act and many other environmental laws.

We have the crime scene, but no police to hold the criminals to account.

A staged crime scene. People are wearing protective white suits and are laying out criminal tape. Black and white image, very moody and dark.

Fighting sand dredging in court

It’s not just the pollution destroying Lough Neagh.

1.5 million tons of sand is suction dredged from the bed of the Lough every year. And for over 30 years this was the biggest unauthorised development in the history of Northern Ireland.

We welcomed the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal decision in 2017 that said the Northern Ireland government acted unlawfully by not stopping the dredging at Lough Neagh. And although we've already tasted success, we've had to take new action against the Department for Infrastructure.

The sand suction barge “Bayshore” discharging her cargo at Emerson's Quay, Lough Neagh
A pile of sand unlawfully extracted from Lough Neagh

New action against sand dredging

We'll be standing against the Department for Infrastructure when the Planning Appeals Commission call a public inquiry into the new sand dredging application. The planning application wants to open sand dredging for night-time operations and increase the size of ships.

We’re also aware that sand dredgers are operating beyond their permitted boundaries. We call on the Department for Infrastructure to issue a stop notice. We expect the public inquiry to take place in 2024/25.

A pile of sand unlawfully extracted from Lough Neagh

Our vision for Lough Neagh

Swans on Lough Neagh, which is connected to Lough Beg via the Lower Bann river in Northern Ireland.

Just settlement

Lough Neagh needs a just settlement for communities of people and communities of wildlife who live around the Lough and in the watershed of the Lough.

We recommend a Citizen’s Assembly and a Citizen’s Jury to be established for Lough Neagh.

photo of Lough Neagh

Community ownership

Lough Neagh should be acquired from the Earl of Shaftesbury by the government, either through a conventional sale or compulsory purchase, and thereafter managed as a commons with community ownership.

Using a “Rights of Nature” approach, Lough Neagh should also be afforded legal rights to exist, to regenerate and to flourish.

photo of trees on banks of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland

Transparency and breathing space

Lough Neagh needs transparency and accountability. Every group with an interest in Lough Neagh must declare that interest and every conflict of interest must be on the table.

Lough Neagh needs a breathing space and the pollution to be halted. This requires strict enforcement and a moratorium on both new intensive factory farms in the watershed and a moratorium on sand dredging.

Very disguising build up of green-algae in water. Looks toxic and dirty.

Support

Lough Neagh will continue to decline unless the Lough has the support of an independent environmental protection agency, investment in failing sewerage infrastructure and a new independent scientific research station.

Help fight the ecological emergency

BECOME A MEMBER

Lough Neagh should be the jewel in the crown of Northern Ireland. It should be a place of pride, thriving commerce and abundance. As James Orr says:

For over 3 decades I have grown to love Lough Neagh. I want to see it restored to an abundant, thriving ecosystem.

We should be celebrating its mythology, history and its unique sense of place. It should be our Lake Geneva.

Help us make a difference

If we can’t save such a designated protected site, then nowhere is safe. Help us protect Lough Neagh.

Friends of the Earth has been researching what a Recovery Plan for Lough Neagh might look like and have developed a number of principles, as listed in our vision above. We would also welcome any comments you might have on a recovery plan. 

Please write to us at [email protected]