The Great Irish Fishing Adventure is structured around six sea-going journeys that will circumnavigate the entire island. Each episode will feature presenter and marine biologist Lucy Hunt at a quintessential fishing town or village where she will meet a local boat and captain to accompany her on that leg of the journey. Along the way there’s fishing aplenty, with a broad variety of species being caught as the waters change from location to location. Also accompanying Lucy on each voyage will be a cast of leading scientists to highlight the ways in which the coastal waters of Ireland provide researchers from a broad spectrum of disciplines with one of the most dramatic and stunningly beautiful natural laboratories on the planet. It’s a combination of big fish and big science in an intelligible, entertaining package, from a production team that’s well-versed in this genre of television, a distinguished team of scientific consultants, with a confirmed broadcaster. Special 8- 10 minute segments, featuring the science of climate change will be cut from each episode and tailored to the Department of Education’s Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (SESE) curriculum area as part of Scoilnet’s Creating Futures (A Climate Change Resource).

Presenter - Lucy Hunt

Lucy Hunt grew up in Waterville, Co. Kerry where she developed her love and fascination of the sea from a young age. She studied marine biology/zoology in the University of Wales Bangor and obtained a Masters in Marine Environmental Protection at the same institution. She worked with An Taisce as the Irish Blue Flag manager and undertook marine research projects in warmer climes such as Fiji, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and the Maldives. Lucy is one of the founding members of the Irish Basking Shark Study Group and also owns and runs a marine interpretive centre in Waterville, called Sea Synergy Marine Awareness and Activity Centre. She was appointed education officer and local area officer for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, working on raising awareness of Irelands marine mammals and creating a network of local groups around Ireland to build awareness and conservation efforts nationwide. She has been involved in BBC documentaries such as Manta Queen, Monty Halls’ Great Irish Escape and The One Show.

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Consultant and Contributor - Dr Ken Whelan

Ken Whelan is an eminent fisheries scientist with extensive international experienceand a substantial publication record. Adjunct Professor in the School of Biology andEnvironmental Science at University College Dublin, Ken works as a marine andfreshwater fisheries consultant. His scientific work covers a broad range of areas includingthe marine and freshwater ecology of migratory fish, the ecology of freshwatersport fish species, the ecology of freshwater invertebrates, biodiversity andclimate change impacts on the aquatic environment.His book, The Angler in Ireland –Game, Coarse and Sea (1989) is consideredone of the most detailed works on Irish anglingyet produced and it’s this knowledge,along with his broad ranging scientific background,the make Ken the perfect consultantfor this series.

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From Scientific Contributors

Kathryn Schoenrock, NUI Galway (marine botanist)

Dr Conor Sweeney, UCD Earth Institute, School of Mathematical Sciences (meteorologist)

Dr Anne Marie Power, School of Natural Sciences (Zoology), NUI Galway (marine biologist)

Michael Gillooly, Director of Ocean Science and Information Services, Marine Institute

Dr Rachel Cave, School of Natural Sciences (Earth & Ocean Sciences), NUI Galway (chemical oceanographer)

Dr Martin White, School of Natural Sciences (Earth & Ocean Sciences), NUI Galway (physical oceanographer)

Karin Dubsky, Trinity College Dublin (marine ecologist)

Dr Deirdre Brophy, Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (fish ecologist)

Dr Fiona Kavanagh, Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (invertebrate taxonomist)

Dr Roxanne Duncan, Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (aquatic biologist)

Dr Pauline King, Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (marine biologist)

Aeidn McAleer, School of Natural Sciences (Earth & Ocean Sciences), NUI Galway (marine scientist)

Dr Kieran Hickey, University College Cork (climatologist)