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 and coordinated by the North Karelia Centre for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment (ELY Centre). Partners to the project include the ELY Centres of Pohjois- Savo, Etelä-Savo, and Southeast Finland.
Saimaa/Vuoksi catchment basin
Promoting sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa 2011-2014 The populations of various salmon species that live in the Saimaa lake district require special attention and maintenance. These species include landlocked salmon, brown trout, arctic char, and grayling. They are all included in the list of endangered species published in 2010 by the Finnish environmental administration.
Landlocked salmon
Landlocked salmon and brown trout
Landlocked salmon habitat
Brown trout
Brown trout habitats
Grayling
Grayling habitats
Arctic charr
Arctic char habitats
The project objective The general objective of the project is to maintain the genetic diversity of the valuable salmon populations in Lake Saimaa and to improve their vitality...with an information exchange and negotiation process that aims to promote sustainable fishing practices
Detailed objectives The more detailed objectives of the project include: 1. Increasing the awareness of the owner units of fishing and water areas that are responsible for controlling the fishing practices in their area of the state of the valuable but endangered fish species in the Saimaa lake district and the ways in which fishing affects their populations. 2. Increasing the awareness of amateur and professional fishermen in the state of salmon populations in the Saimaa lake district and the ways in which fishing affects them. 3. Enhancing the knowledge and skills of people who work for various fishery associations and consultancy organizations. 4. Promoting the adoption of various fishing control measures that have a positive influence on the state of the fish populations.
Threat factors The most important causes of threat are dredging, hydroelectric constructions of waterways, fishing and poor water quality, migration obstructions and flow regulation. global warming may also weaken the living conditions of species thriving in cool waters. All populations are locally threatened by intensive fishing, which often targets even immature individuals.
Threat status and factors Species Categ.2010 Threat factors Landlocked Salmon CR P, Vr, S,Kv Brown trout s. EN P, O, Vr,M, Kh, S,Kv Arctic charr s. CR P,I,Kh,S Grayling s. NT P, Kh,Vr,O,I,
Actions and means involved: a written questionnaire will be implemented to the target groups to assess their starting situation. The questionnaire will be repeated at the end of the project. Seminars,in the beginning mainly for partners, and at the end also for target groups.
Actions and means involved: The project s visual design The aim of the visual design is to stir a positive response to the project among the target group Internet site for Saimaa threatened fish species is created
Actions and means involved: Committing the main target groups to the objectives of the project is a two-phase process: First phase, distributing information and creating trust. In the second phase, target group specific plans on organizing fishing are made and their implementation agreed upon.
Actions and means involved: The project will have a presence at various public events, where main target groups are amateur and professional fishermen An open lure design contest as part of the media campaign. Special attention will be paid to the degree at which the contestants have taken the sustainable fishing practices into account in the structure of their lures.
Actions and means involved: post-project activities will be planned describing the measures that are required to ensure the continuity of the project and to secure that its final objective, sustainable salmon fishing practises in the Lake Saimaa
Expected results Knowledge and awareness of the valuable salmon populations of the Lake Saimaa district has improved among the target group. The target groups include 21 fishery districts, 43 owner units of waters, and 18 fishing clubs. Increasing the knowledge of parties that make fishing-related decisions is of vital importance.
Expected results In their meetings, many of the parties that are responsible for fishing-related decisions have decided to take further measures and agreed on their implementation schedule. The aim is to acquire a decision from all parties concerned during the duration of the project.
Expected results Plans for organizing fishing have been prepared for the most important habitats of the endangered fish species in the Saimaa lake district. In interaction with the target groups, a total of 50 plans will be prepared during the project.
Expected results Roughly 60 articles and press releases have been published in regional and local media.
Expected results A web portal has been commenced for the salmon species in Lake Saimaa and its updating and maintenance organized.
The End! Promoting sustainable salmon fishing practices on Lake Saimaa 2011-2014