Most of the lake salmon fry do not survive the lake migration, even though fishing restrictions have been tightened. For the first time, the effectiveness of the measures will be monitored by performance indicators.
In recent years, significant sums have been spent on measures to conserve lake salmon stocks and on research, and fishing restrictions have been tightened. Despite this, the vast majority of fry do not survive the lake migration, according to a press release from the Environment Agency.
The status of lake salmon has not been monitored with indicators before. Results to date suggest that lake salmon are on the verge of extinction unless there are rapid changes in salmon management and stocking practices. More resources are also needed.
The indicators will monitor, among other things, salmon reproduction, survival of fry and the effectiveness of the measures. In North Karelia, the aim is to stock 100 000 salmon fry annually in the Pielisjoki and 60 000 in the Lieksanjoki.