Second challenging winter in a row for Saimaa ringed seal – spring fishing restrictions come into force

Fishing restrictions protect the critically endangered Saimaa ringed seal.

The net fishing ban will enter into force in most of Saimaa on 15 April. The ban applies to all fishing nets and will remain in force until the end of June.

An exception is made for gillnets smaller than 22 mm, which may be used from 21 June.

You can find out more about the delimitations on the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Kalastusrajoitus.fi service.

The prohibitions are intended to protect the very endangered Saimaa ringed seal. The population has been strengthened since the 2010s, as the restrictions have grown and harmonized.

Fishing gear the main risk

Metsähallitus becomes aware of every year 5-6 fish fishing deaths from the Saimaa ringed seals.

Norpat will remain in the gear in late summer and autumn, after the end of the online fishing ban.

Currently, the population is growing by 17-19 individuals each year. Auttila estimates that growth could be 25 staples per year if fish fishing deaths were avoided.

If the Norppa remains in the gear, the owner of the gear must be immediately notified to Metsähallitus. Metsähallitus must also be notified of other dead Norp.

Two challenging winters in a row

The past winter was challenging for Norwegian nesting. According to Auttila, the Norpat has used auxiliary branches and artificial nests for breeding because there was not enough snow.

– It is to be expected that, as last year, chick mortality will remain high this year. Therefore, it would be important not to die for fish fishing.

Metsähallitus has already completed spring nest calculations. After the ice departure, there are nesting divers to obtain more information on the number of born and dead.

The results of the nest calculation will be published at the end of May. 83 six were observed in last year’s nest calculations, one fifth of which was found dead.