Moray Burn Pollution Kills Fish, Eels, Birds; Caustic Soda Suspected in Spey Tributary Incident

A significant pollution incident in Moray has caused extensive mortality among aquatic wildlife, including fish, eels, and birds. The Knockando burn, which feeds into the River Spey, is believed to have been contaminated with a chemical, suspected to be caustic soda, within the past few days.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has initiated an investigation into the contamination, which has affected a two-kilometre section of the burn. Fly fishers report that the salmon population in the affected area has been entirely eradicated, with a projected recovery period of up to five years.

Duncan Ferguson, Director of the Spey Fishery Board, characterised this as one of the most substantial pollution incidents he has witnessed in 36 years of working on the river. He described the outcome as "tragic" and "unnecessary." Ferguson indicated that the chemical involved is thought to have industrial origins. The spill coincides with the peak season for fly fishing on the Spey.

A SEPA spokesperson confirmed that the agency is "investigating a potential pollution incident in a tributary of the River Spey and are working to identify the source and impacts."

This event follows a separate incident last month where white paint spilled into the Burn of Carron, another tributary of the River Spey. That contamination near Aberlour resulted in the deaths of several salmon and left the water with a milky appearance and a turpentine odour. Initial enquiries traced the source to a layby on the A95.