A "crisis" in Mayo's water quality could have serious implications for tourism and economic development, according to the North Western Regional Fisheries Board.
The board's annual report published yesterday shows trout stocks have collapsed in Lough Cullin and have "decreased alarmingly" in Lough Conn.
The report highlights problems with water quality in the Castlebar river-Lough Cullin fishery, which it links to the amount of untreated, or inadequately treated, sewage discharged into the river. The board objected to further housing developments in Castlebar to protect the trout fishery, a stance "supported and vindicated" by An Bord Pleanála, it says.
The board's chief executive, Mr Vincent Roche, said his organisation stood by the decisions made in relation to planning applications in Castlebar, "however unpopular they may have been locally".
