Sir, – Growing up with the middle name of Fintan, I have fond memories of watching my father assist fishermen in Downings as they unloaded their bountiful catches of salmon during our family holidays. However, reading Fintan O’Toole (“We’ve ruthlessly driven salmon from our rivers”, Opinion & Analysis, April 30th) saddened me deeply. It highlighted the alarming decline in salmon numbers, a trend that deeply concerns me.
In Celtic art and symbolism, salmon often embody concepts of wisdom, inspiration, and spiritual transformation.
Therefore, the dwindling presence of salmon in our rivers serves as a poignant reflection of the current state of our society.
As we continue to witness the depletion of this iconic species, it is imperative that we take collective action to protect and preserve our natural environment.
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By doing so, we not only safeguard the future of salmon but also uphold the values they represent in our cultural heritage. – Yours, etc,
ENDA CULLEN,
Armagh.
