Nature

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

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

Less than one year of age in the Saimaa ringed seal in the water.
The sprat in the picture was found dead in fishing nets in September 2024.

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.

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