The Stormont department responsible for Lough Neagh has teamed up with the UK Space Agency in order to find new satellite technology which could help combat toxic bluegreen algae blooms in the lough.
Last month, DAERA minister Andrew Muir launched the first phase of the Lough Neagh: Blue Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative, to find ways of reducing the algae blooms without impacting the environment.
It is part of the Lough Neagh Action Plan, a Stormont strategy to combat widespread algal blooms being reported on the lough for the last two summers.
The UK Space Agency, in collaboration with NI SPACE and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), have launched the £360,000 scheme seeking potential satellite applications and remote sensing solutions to predict, detect and monitor the extent and movement of the Blue Green Algae in Lough Neagh.
This new competition will harness the combined capability of satellite and space-based technologies to observe and predict ‘blooms’ and inform the development of strategic thinking and initiatives to protect the lough.
The scheme is funded by the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Government (USG) programme.
Mr Muir said: “It is great to be able to involve space and satellite technologies to assist us in understanding and managing water quality in the lough.
“I look forward to seeing how this SBRI competition can complement the work already being undertaken in the Executive’s Lough Neagh Action Plan. My officials are pleased to be working with NI SPACE and UK Space Agency in realising the potential of this technology to help solve real-life issues.”
A spokesperson for the Save Lough Neagh campaign group described the scheme as a “glittery announcement” that does little to target the causes of the algal blooms. The group is holding a March for Clean Water in Belfast on Sunday November 3.
“While we in the Save Lough Neagh campaign welcome improved monitoring in regards to the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh, this is yet another glittery announcement that does nothing to target the root causes of the toxic algae,” the group said.
“We need immediate action to curb the pollution and excess nutrient entering and causing the Ecocide at Lough Neagh, and address the lack of accountability corporate polluters receive.
“On the lough shore, drinking water still tastes mouldy, with many people resorting to bottled water adding to waste. We need to undo the decades of drastic cuts to our water service and have a well funded one we can trust.
“Our campaign has made clear that minister Muir’s Lough Neagh Action Plan doesn’t go anywhere near far enough in addressing the root problems of what really is a public health emergency.”
