Members of the Lough Neagh and Lough Beg Wildfowling and Conservation Association demonstrated once again that conservation is at the very heart of responsible wildfowling, carrying out a large-scale litter pick along Lough Neagh this weekend.
The clean-up operation focused on the south shore, stretching from Ardmore to Galway's Gate, where members worked tirelessly to remove significant quantities of litter washed up along the shoreline. Their efforts not only improved the appearance of the area but also protected vital habitat for wildfowl and other native wildlife.
Wildfowlers have long understood that conservation and country sports go hand in hand. The health of our wetlands, waterways and surrounding countryside is essential for biodiversity, and it is local sporting communities who are often first to step forward when action is needed.
Encouragingly, young lads from The Tones also made a valued local contribution, joining the effort and helping to clean along the waterways. It is heartening to see the next generation taking pride in their local environment and supporting the work of those who dedicate so much of their time to preserving it.
However, the volume of rubbish collected paints a worrying picture. The amount of litter being washed into the lough through local drains and carried out by recent floods is, by all accounts, atrocious. Long-standing members remarked that they have not seen conditions this bad since the days when the Ballynacor Tip was opened. Plastics, household waste and other debris continue to find their way into our waterways, posing a serious threat to wildlife and water quality.
The situation highlights the urgent need for a coordinated local litter lift and greater responsibility at community level. Preventing rubbish from entering drains and watercourses in the first place must be a shared priority.
Countryside Alliance Ireland commends every member of the Lough Neagh and Lough Beg Wildfowling and Conservation Association, along with the young volunteers, for their outstanding efforts. Their work is a powerful reminder that those who use and value the countryside are often its strongest custodians.