Scientists Use DNA in Bid to Save Wild Salmon

DNA analysis is being used in an attempt to explain why alarmingly high numbers of salmon are dying at sea.

Marine scientists are carrying out a groundbreaking survey following young fish from rivers into the North Atlantic.

Researchers from Ireland, Norway and the Faroe Islands will take part in three studies over the next year with the main Irish leg of the survey leaving today from Killybegs, Co Donegal.

Its mission is to map the migration and the distribution of salmon stocks at sea using genetic fingerprint technology.

Dr Ken Whelan of the Marine Institute said:"In some southern rivers on both sides of the North Atlantic wild salmon face extinction and no one fully understands why."

A sister programme will be launched in August with Canadian and US scientists in the western Atlantic.