According to The Scottish Environment Agency, over 300 gallons of diesel spilled from an oil storage tank on a farm near Methlick starting on Saturday morning. A walker alerted officials when he noticed an oily film on the river and by the time the source of the problem was traced the pollution had reached Ellon. Although the spillage has now been contained fish could still be affected for up to 2 years.
The river, which runs from Auchterless to Newburgh 12 miles north of Aberdeen, is famous for its sea trout and Atlantic salmon. Although the season has now finished, both SEPA and the Ythan District Fishing Board will closely monitor the effect on the fish pollution.