More than 100,000 fish worth more than £1 million died when they were hit by a massive invasion at Glenarm Bay and Red Bay, Cushendun, off the Co Antrim coast.

Michelle Gildernew has met representatives from Northern Salmon Company - which operates Northern Ireland's only salmon farm - to discuss the crisis and she has expressed her concerns over the potential impact for the company.

There is no fund available to assist but Minister Gildernew said she wished to take the views of her Executive colleagues before responding to the case made by Northern Salmon Company.

Billions of small jellyfish known as Mauve Stingers were involved in the attack - stinging and then stressing the salmon which were being kept in cages about a mile out into the Irish Sea.

Managing director of Northern Salmon Company, John Russell said it could take at least two years to recover from the setback. He said the company needs financial aid in order to keep the operation going.

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