Layman s report - The Project to promote sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa in a nutshell

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Olivia Adams
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Saimaan lohikalojen KESTÄVÄ KALASTUS The Project to promote sustainable salmon fishing

fishing clubs, fishing industry advisory bodies and fishermen.

Saimaa in a nutshell The project emphasised the role of individual fishermen in

associations, which significantly advanced sustainable fishing in the Vuoksi River

The project website is available at www.jarvilohi.fi.

1 Saimaan lohikalojen KESTÄVÄ KALASTUS The Project to promote sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa was a communication and negotiation project with a duration of slightly under three years. The project s target groups were fishery districts, joint ownership associations, fishing clubs, fishing industry advisory bodies and fishermen. Layman s report - The Project to promote sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa in a nutshell The project emphasised the role of individual fishermen in reviving endangered fish stocks and encouraged fishermen to comply with fishing restrictions. The project prepared 60 fishing plans for fishery districts and joint ownership associations, which significantly advanced sustainable fishing in the Vuoksi River basin. The project also achieved broad media exposure. The project website is available at The website includes information on endangered salmonid species, the measures taken under the project and the results achieved, as well as communications materials. Promoting sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa North Karelia ELY Centre, Kauppakatu 40 B Postal address: P.O. Box 69, JOENSUU PL 69, Joensuu

1. General information about the project Content 1. General information about the project... 3 1.1. Target species... 3 1.2. Target audiences... 3 1.3. The project s main objectives... 3 2.

.. 5 3.4. Financial administration and HR... 5 4. Project measures and results... 5 4.1. Fishing plans and their implementation... 5 4.2. Communications... 7 4.3. Networking... 9 4.4. Questionnaires.

2 1. General information about the project Content 1. General information about the project Target species Target audiences The project s main objectives Project duration and funding Project duration Project funding The parties behind the project s implementation Project team Steering group Project staff Financial administration and HR Project measures and results Fishing plans and their implementation Communications Networking Questionnaires... 9 The Project to promote sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa increased the awareness of endangered fish species in the Vuoksi River basin among fishermen and those who make decisions on fishing and fisheries management. This was done through communications and by preparing action proposals for fishery districts and joint ownership associations to promote sustainable fishing. During the project, research information, species-specific strategies and management plans were adapted to a more easy-to-understand form both visually and in terms of their content Target species 1. landlocked salmon (critically endangered) 2. Saimaa arctic char (critically endangered) 3. brown trout (endangered) 4. grayling (near threatened) 1.2. Target audiences 1. Fishery districts (20 districts) 2. Joint ownership associations (44 associations) 3. Fishing clubs (18 clubs) 4. Fishing industry advisory bodies and fishing associations 5. Individual fishermen 1.3. The project s main objectives 1. Communicating up-to-date information to the target audiences on the status of endangered fish species and the measures required to improve their status 2. Preparing regional and local population-specific management plans in co-operation with stakeholders and target audiences (fishery districts and joint ownership associations) 2. Project duration and funding 2.1. Project duration 1 October June 2014, 33 months. 3

2.2. Project funding The project was funded as follows: 1. Life+ programme information and communication fund (EU) EUR 180,635 2. The Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry EUR 150,000 3.

The parties behind the project s implementation The project was coordinated by the North Karelia ELY Centre, which was responsible for the project s implementation.

3 2.2. Project funding The project was funded as follows: 1. Life+ programme information and communication fund (EU) EUR 180, The Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry EUR 150, North Karelia, North Savo, South Savo and Southeast Finland ELY Centres internal financing proportions EUR 31,035 The project s total budget was EUR 361, The parties behind the project s implementation The project was coordinated by the North Karelia ELY Centre, which was responsible for the project s implementation. The project partners were the ELY Centres for Southeast Finland, South Savo and North Savo Project team The project was managed by a project team with representation by the four ELY Centres involved. The project team met five times during the project. The project team closely monitored the progress of the project and prepared statements to the Project Manager on matters related to the implementation of the project. The six members of the project team were: Fishery Manager Veli-Matti Kaijomaa (North Karelia ELY Centre), Fishery Manager Jorma Tiitinen (South Savo ELY Centre), Fishery Manager Tuomas Oikari (Southeast Finland ELY Centre), Fishery Manager Timo Takkunen (North Savo ELY Centre), Communications Manager Pasi Hirvonen (North Karelia ELY Centre) Project Manager Mirko Laakkonen (North Karelia ELY Centre) Steering group The project steering group comprised 18 members. The steering group met three times during the project. The steering group was an advisory body. The steering group included representation by the ELY Centres involved, as well as all of the project s target audiences: ELY Centres 5 representatives, fishery districts/fishing management centres 4 representatives, recreational fishing organisations 3 representatives, professional fishing organisations 4 representatives, Metsähallitus 1 representative, and the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute 1 representative Project staff The Project Manager was Mirko Laakkonen (for the entire 33-month duration of the project). The Project Manager was responsible for the implementation and budget of the project in the manner specified in the project plan. The Project Manager was supported by project assistants Juho Rajala (13 months) and Sirpa Kaunisto (6 months) Financial administration and HR The project accounting was handled by the administrative unit of the North Karelia ELY Centre. Each ELY Centre was responsible for the project costs that were indicated in the project plan as being allocated to the tasks and costs of the ELY Centre in question. 4. Project measures and results 4.1. Fishing plans and their implementation The most important measure taken under the project was the preparation of fishing plans for the target audiences (60 plans in total). The action proposals were reviewed in negotiations with fishery districts and joint ownership associations. In the meetings, it was agreed that the fishery districts and joint ownership associations process the action proposals and, if necessary, decide on further measures to be taken and the scheduling of such measures. 4 5

Fishery district and joint ownership association meetings: over 100 meetings attended 60 fishing plans presentations on the life cycle and endangered status of salmonids In practice, the project

Experts from the ELY Centres involved in the project also attended some of the meetings. There were 24 target groups in North Karelia, 7 in North Savo, 38 in South Savo, and 13 in Southeast Finland.

4 Fishery district and joint ownership association meetings: over 100 meetings attended 60 fishing plans presentations on the life cycle and endangered status of salmonids In practice, the project visited 1-2 meetings of each fishery district and joint ownership association, for a total of over 100 meetings attended. Visits to meetings were the responsibility of the Project Manager. Experts from the ELY Centres involved in the project also attended some of the meetings. There were 24 target groups in North Karelia, 7 in North Savo, 38 in South Savo, and 13 in Southeast Finland. There were 82 target groups in total. Of these, 64 were fishery districts or joint ownership associations, and 18 were fishing clubs. Advisory work carried out with fishing clubs was implemented as an outsourced service (provided by SVK) due to the large number of target groups. Training materials in PowerPoint presentation format completed in April 2013 as part of the project were utilised in the advisory work. By preparing fishing plans and attending meetings of fishery districts and joint ownership associations, the project achieved significant results in promoting sustainable fishing in the Vuoksi River basin. Progress was achieved in the following areas: 1. Minimum catching sizes for salmonids 2. Minimum mesh sizes for surface and midwater gillnets 3. Prohibiting salmon line fishing 4. Establishing protected fish zones in lakes and river basins (grayling, brown trout, landlocked salmon, arctic char) 5. Establishing ascent routes in narrows 6. Restrictions on the number of hooks per lure 7. Releasing landlocked salmon and brown trout with intact adipose fins 8. Fishing quotas Detailed information on the results achieved is available at It should be noted that the project s duration was short in relation to the length of the process of reviving endangered fish stocks, and no significant changes in fish stocks were expected during the project. The assumption is that the project s impacts will be reflected in salmonid stocks within five years of the project s conclusion. The effects will also be delayed because the implementation of decisions proceeds at different speeds for different decision-makers. In addition, fishermen must adopt the new restrictions. The life cycle of salmonids also contributes to the fact that the project s results with regard to fish stocks are not immediately evident upon its conclusion Communications The project included a communications campaign targeted at recreational and professional fishermen. The campaign communicated information on the status of endangered fish populations in Lake Saimaa and the factors affecting their endangered status. The campaign also provided practical instructions on the sustainable fishing of salmonids. The project communications were very successful. The project achieved broad exposure across different media. In addition to this broad media exposure, project staff met thousands of people at various events such as fairs and exhibitions, fish markets, trolling competitions, seminars and meetings. Meetings, seminars and events: 20 fairs, exhibitions and other events attended tens of seminars attended discussion events (Puumala and Savonlinna) numerous intra-agency meetings, such as The Vuoksi River basin brown trout programme The website maintained by the North Karelia ELY Centre was revamped during the project. The website was expanded by adding information on the project, the target species and the sustainable fishing of salmonids. All information related to the project was primarily published on the website, and the website was actively updated. English and Russian language versions were also produced for the site. The website will live on, maintained by the North Karelia ELY Centre, after the project s conclusion. 6 7

The project organised two large discussion events (with a total of approximately 200 participants) as well as opening and closing seminars.

salmon/ brown trout sticker. There are also digital versions of all of these available on the project website.

To promote sustainable fishing, the project organised a lure design competition to develop lures that cause less damage to fish and encourage manufacturers to produce such lures. 4.3.

The project networked with local, national and international projects and operators working on problems associated with fisheries management and sustainable fishing.

5 The project organised two large discussion events (with a total of approximately 200 participants) as well as opening and closing seminars. The project prepared brochures including a brochure presenting the status of salmonids and containing tips on sustainable fishing, an arctic char brochure, a fish release brochure and a landlocked salmon/ brown trout sticker. There are also digital versions of all of these available on the project website. The project also produced training materials in PowerPoint format, which can be downloaded from the website. To promote sustainable fishing, the project organised a lure design competition to develop lures that cause less damage to fish and encourage manufacturers to produce such lures Networking The project engaged in extensive networking measures. The project networked with local, national and international projects and operators working on problems associated with fisheries management and sustainable fishing. Social media was also utilised in networking. The objective of networking was to increase awareness among various co-operation partners of salmonids, to obtain information on the approaches taken by other operators to similar challenges, and to exchange experiences on various communication and interaction methods Questionnaires At the start of the project, a questionnaire was distributed to fishery districts, professional fishermen and fishing clubs to survey the target groups attitudes and knowledge related to endangered salmonid stocks in Lake Saimaa. Communications (results and materials produced): well over 100 newspaper and magazine articles recorded well over 100 online articles recorded 33 radio features 3 TV features brochures: 34,000 copies (Finnish), 13,000 copies (Russian), 13,000 copies (English), arctic char brochure 8,000 copies, fish releasing brochure 8,000 copies, landlocked salmon/brown trout sticker 3,000 copies website: approx. 3,500 unique visitors and 13,500 visits per month (as of April 2014) over 250 online forum discussions participated in Facebook followers: 2,600 Training materials in PowerPoint format Personal letters to 196 professional fishermen Letters to fishery districts and joint ownership associations Sustainable fishing lures: 500 lures (distributed to the target groups) T-shirts: 200 pcs Pens: 500 pcs Information boards: 10 pcs Other promotional materials The project s impact on these target groups was assessed by carrying out a second round of the survey in the final stages of the project. The final survey was used to assess changes to the attitudes of decision-makers and other target groups during the project. Based on the results of the surveys, awareness of the endangered status of salmonids increased during the project. However, the survey also indicated that there is a clear need for continued communications. The project to promote sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa attended numerous public events. The photo is from National Fishing Day 2012 in Joensuu 8 9

Ohjeita kalan vapauttamiseen: Saimaan lohikalojen KESTÄVÄ KALASTUS Kala väsytetään mahdollisimman nopeasti, mutta repimättä.

Jos vapautus ei onnistu veneen ulkopuolella, voi kalan nostaa kumipintaisen/ solmuttoman haavin avulla tuoreella vedellä täytettyyn vesiastiaan.

Jos kalaan joutuu koskemaan, on kädet ensin kasteltava tai käytettävä märkiä käsineitä.

Kalaa ei saa puristaa tiukasti vatsan kohdalta. Kalan silmiin ja kiduksiin ei saa koskea. Mitä vähemmän vieheessä on koukkuja, sitä helpompi kala on vapauttaa.

Uistinten koukut eivät myöskään tartu helposti kumipintaiseen havakseen. Vapautettavien kalojen kuvaamista on syytä välttää.

Kalaa pidetään vaakatasossa ja kuva otetaan nopeasti minimoiden aika, jonka kala on poissa vedestä.

Kalan voi punnita myös haavissa, jonka havas on valmistettu kumipintaisesta ja solmuttomasta materiaalista. Punnitus tulee suorittaa mahdollisimman nopeasti.

6 Ohjeita kalan vapauttamiseen: Saimaan lohikalojen KESTÄVÄ KALASTUS Kala väsytetään mahdollisimman nopeasti, mutta repimättä. Kala pyritään vapauttamaan pihdeillä vedenrajassa veneen ulkopuolella. Jos vapautus ei onnistu veneen ulkopuolella, voi kalan nostaa kumipintaisen/ solmuttoman haavin avulla tuoreella vedellä täytettyyn vesiastiaan. Vesiastiassa koukun voi irrottaa rauhassa pihdeillä. Kalaa ei tulisi pitää poissa vedestä montaa sekuntia. Jos kalaan joutuu koskemaan, on kädet ensin kasteltava tai käytettävä märkiä käsineitä. Kalaa ei tule roikottaa pyrstöstä tai päästä, sillä tämä saattaa aiheuttaa sisäelinvaurioita tai venyttää kalan selkärankaa. Kalaa ei saa puristaa tiukasti vatsan kohdalta. Kalan silmiin ja kiduksiin ei saa koskea. Mitä vähemmän vieheessä on koukkuja, sitä helpompi kala on vapauttaa. Solmuton ja kumipintainen havas ei vahingoita kalan limapintaa yhtä paljon kuin perinteinen solmullinen havas. Uistinten koukut eivät myöskään tartu helposti kumipintaiseen havakseen. Vapautettavien kalojen kuvaamista on syytä välttää. Jos vapautettavasta kalasta on tarkoitus kuitenkin ottaa kuva, on kamera oltava valmiina ja kuvaustilanne suunniteltava etukäteen. Kalaa pidetään vaakatasossa ja kuva otetaan nopeasti minimoiden aika, jonka kala on poissa vedestä. Jos vapautettava kala halutaan punnita, on parasta käyttää kalan punnitsemiseen tarkoitettua punnituspussia. Kalan voi punnita myös haavissa, jonka havas on valmistettu kumipintaisesta ja solmuttomasta materiaalista. Punnitus tulee suorittaa mahdollisimman nopeasti. Kala lasketaan takaisin veteen varovaisesti. Uupunut kala saattaa tarvita elvytystä ennen vapauttamista. Kala elvytetään pitämällä sitä virtaa vasten tai heiluttelemalla sitä edestakaisin vedessä, jotta vettä virtaa kidusten läpi. Kun kala on valmis itse uimaan, sen voi vapauttaa. Rasvaevällinen järvilohi Rasvaeväleikattu järvilohi Vapauta: Kaikki rasvaevälliset järvilohet ja -taimenet Saimaalla ja Pielisellä koosta riippumatta. Alamittaiset rasvaeväleikatut järvilohet ja -taimenet. The project to promote sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa operated in Eastern Finland, in the Vuoksi River basin. The project to promote sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa produced several different brochures. This brochure provides instructions on how to release a fish correctly

Promoting sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa

Promoting sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa 2011-2014 LIFE+/Information & Communication Pohjois-Karjalan ELY-keskus Joensuu Main partner and partners The project will be administered