Dr Ken Whelan studied Zoology in University College Dublin in the early 70’s.  He joined the Inland Fisheries Trust Incorporated in 1975 and served with the IFT from 1975 to 1980.  During this time he completed a Ph.D. study on the biology of Irish ephemeroptera (mayflies).  He worked for the Central Fisheries Board from 1980 to 1989, where he acted as principal advisor to the Board on salmon and sea trout stocks.  His work included detailed assessments of a wide range of salmonid habitats and the compilation of policy documents on the management of salmon and sea trout stocks.  He was appointed Director and CEO of the Salmon Research Agency in November 1989 and served in that capacity until his appointment, in July of 1999, as an executive Director of the Marine Institute. In this capacity he acts as an adviser to the Minister and Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on salmon and eel stocks, fin-fish aquaculture, recreational fisheries, the freshwater environment and fish habitat.   

Dr. Whelan has published extensively both in the scientific literature and in the popular press.  Dr. Whelan has produced and presented many films and videos on various aspects of Irish fisheries.  Until recently he served as a member of the Council of Management of the Atlantic Salmon Trust and a member of the Council of Management of AIDSA (Association Internationale de Défense du Saumon Atlantique). He is currently a member of the Honorary Scientific Advisory Panel of the Atlantic Salmon Trust. He also served as joint Secretary of the Institute of Fisheries Management (Irish Branch) from 1992 to 1996.  In recognition of his work in the fisheries management area he was elected as a Fellow of the Institute in 1999.   He was also a founding member of the NASCO (North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation) / Aquaculture Liaison Group and also of the new International Atlantic Salmon Research Board.

 In June 2004 Dr Whelan was appointed as President of NASCO, an intergovernmental organisation which advises on all matters relating to the conservation of Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic.