As reported in the last Mythical Ireland podcast (episode #21), the number of Atlantic Salmon (salmo salar) returning to the River Boyne has plummeted.

The Boyne River is famous as the location where the mythical Bradán Feasa (Salmon of Knowledge) was caught by the wise druid Finégas, and which the boy Finn accidentally tasted when he burned his thumb while cooking the fish.

In recent years, the number of Atlantic Salmon returning to the River Boyne to spawn has been falling. This year, the number has plummeted, reaching an all-time low.

In this new podcast (episode #22), a follow-up to episode #21, I had a conversation with fisheries scientist Ken Whelan about the likely causes of the precipitous fall in salmon numbers in the Boyne, and also about what can be done in terms of human interventions to try to resuscitate the situation.

Ken and I sat on a bench in view of the River Boyne across from the ancient Neolithic monument of Newgrange and discussed the situation in some depth. Ken is a mine of information, gleaned from over 50 years as a scientist and specialist studying ecology, fisheries, river systems and he even spent a decade working with the Marine Institute.

We have reached a dangerous tipping point. The famed 'Salmon of Knowledge' is in peril, and there is a possibility that salmon in the Boyne could become a thing of the past. How long ago did the salmon numbers start to decline, what were the causes, and what can we do now to reverse the worrying decline in numbers?

Have a listen as Ken imparts his extraordinary knowledge, and how he is optimistic that the trend can be reversed if the proper action is taken.

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