Lough Neagh: Blue-green algae back at 2023 levels

John and Gwen Dowling said they regularly make trips to Antrim Lough Shore Park, from their home in Lisburn.

Mr Dowling said he “would rather see the algae away”, as it is “bad for wildlife”.

“You want the wildlife to thrive,” he said.

Ms Dowling said it “didn’t look right” and “it is the first thing you notice”.

“There is too much algae,” she added.

Lough Neagh is the largest body of fresh water in the British Isles.

The lough supplies half of Belfast’s drinking water and 40% of Northern Ireland’s overall.

The Northern Ireland Executive approved an action plan for the future of Lough Neagh at a meeting earlier this month.

On a private visit to Antrim Lough Shore Park on Thursday, NI Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, said it was “distressing and sadly unsurprising ” to see the algae at such levels in the lough.

The lough has been affected by blue-green algal blooms in recent months.

Scientists and officials agree it will take a long time to resolve the challenges of the lough.

“Unless the fundamentals change, it’s unlikely to get any different result,” Dr Service said.

“The fundamentals in the lough have not changed – the inputs are staying the same.

“The levels of nutrients are still high and of course the zebra mussels are still there.”