Lough Neagh: project launched to tackle blue-green algae crisis

A new £450,000 plan to help tackle the blue-green algae crisis at Lough Neagh was launched today (Monday).

The initiative will look at potential solutions to the ongoing problem.

Environment minister Andrew Muir said he hoped these could also be applied in other areas affected by the noxious blooms.

In phase one of the Lough Neagh: Blue-Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) five applicants will be selected to develop concepts to deal with the algae.

In phase two two to three concepts will be selected and developed as potential pilot solutions.

Noxious blooms of blue-green algae covered large parts of the lough last summer and also affected other waterways and beaches in the region.

The algae has returned this year.

Lough Neagh, the biggest freshwater lake by surface area in the UK and Ireland, supplies 40% of Northern Ireland's drinking water and sustains a major eel-fishing industry.

The Stormont Executive approved its Lough Neagh Action Plan last month.

Mr Muir said: "We all have a responsibility to work collectively to deliver sustainable solutions to address the issues facing Lough Neagh and to return it to its rightful state as an ecological jewel at the heart of Northern Ireland.

"I understand that this SBRI initiative will not fully address the blue-green algae problems, however it will contribute, along with the other actions contained in the Lough Neagh report, to help deliver my vision to have a healthy, resilient environment with high water quality status and environment standards thereby contributing to the health and wellbeing of our citizens."

He added: "Whilst much attention has been devoted to the issues with blue-green algae in Lough Neagh I am equally focused on water quality issues across Northern Ireland and this work will hopefully provide solutions that can be applied to any area that has been affected by the emergence of blue-green algae."

The scheme is being partly funded by Stormont's Department for the Economy.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: "There is scope for physical, chemical or biological, or a combination of solutions, but whatever solution is developed it must not contribute to further environmental degradation. It must also comply with legislation and environmental designations."

The application window for phase one is open for six weeks. Applications must be received by 3pm on Friday September 13.

It is anticipated that phase one will run to March 2025 with a potential call for a phase two applications beginning summer 2025.

Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser running off fields is believed to be a major contributory factor in the blue-green algae blooms.

The spread of the invasive zebra mussel species is also understood to have played a role in the blooms, as they have made the water clearer, allowing more sunlight to penetrate, stimulating more algal photosynthesis.

Climate change is another factor cited, with the highest water temperature at Lough Neagh recorded last June.