A major fish kill has been confirmed in the Enler River at Comber following a pollution incident, according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

The department said the Northern Ireland Environment Agency received a report from a member of the public at 9.30am on Tuesday, November 3, about dead fish in the river. An inspector was sent to the area and confirmed a significant fish kill. A joint investigation by the NIEA and DAERA Inland Fisheries is under way to identify the source of the pollution.

Inler Angling Club, which has members who act as river guardians, has described the incident as catastrophic. The club chair, Phil Glover, said the pollution is likely to have killed hundreds of fish, particularly spawning sea trout. The club secretary, Glenn McKibbin, estimated about 1,000 fish were killed, including brown trout and migratory sea trout, in the Gransha, Ballystockart and Inler rivers, which are known as the Enler.

Mr McKibbin said the incident "could not have happened in a worse location on the river or at a worse time", as many migratory fish return at this time of year to spawn. He added that "current and future fish stocks obliterated for years to come".

Angling club members first noticed dead fish on the bank on Sunday while checking the river. At that time only one dead fish was found and it was thought to have been killed by an otter. However, more dead fish were discovered on Monday, leading the club secretary to contact the NIEA. The agency said it had already received a report and was at the scene with Inland Fisheries staff.

Mr Glover said a previous incident earlier in the year resulted in 15 fish deaths, but this recent incident is major. He noted that the river had just started to recover from earlier pollution incidents in 2013 and 2015, and that the number of fish coming from Strangford Lough to spawn is already low due to pollution in the lough.

The club said the fish kill will also affect wildlife such as kingfishers, herons and otters, and could pose a risk to dogs walked in the area. Mr Glover highlighted that the club carries out DNA tests on the river and that members do a lot of unseen maintenance work.

A DAERA spokesman said: "On Tuesday, November 3, at 9.30am, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency received a report from a member of the public regarding dead fish in the Enler River, Comber. The NIEA immediately deployed an inspector to the area to verify the report and assess the environmental impact. A significant fish kill has been confirmed, and in accordance with established procedures DAERA Inland Fisheries staff have been informed."

The investigation is ongoing.