Saving our joint treasure: sustainable trout fisheries for the transborder Oulanka River system

Programme 2007 - 2013 Karelia ENPI CBC

Date of latest update: 2021-04-06

Description

Description (EN):

The project aims to produce well-being for people living in the Koillismaa and Karelia regions in Finland and Russia by ensuring sustainable use and healthy status of the migratory brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations in the Oulanka River system. The goal will be achieved by developing, through collaboration of Finnish and Russian stakeholders, a model for the joint management of the trout populations. The project’s main activities will strengthen the scientific knowledge, stakeholder co-operation and public awareness regarding the Oulanka River trout, all of which are critical components of successful long-term fishery management.

Achievements (EN):

Despite some unexpected complications brought about by Mother Nature and Fisheman Logic, the project succeeded well in producing reliable data on the state of the trout populations and their fishing pressure and in improving stakeholders’ awareness of the poor state of the Oulanka river system brown trout populations. In Kuusamo, local fishermen have long complained the poor brown trout catches, but it has been common to blame the situation on the fishing mortality that is on the increase in Russian parts of the river system. The project produced research data (fishing mortality, fishing pressure, population size) that clearly shows that recovery of the brown trout fisheries requires strong measures in all part of the rivers system, even in Finland. As an unforeseen result (not anticipated/planned in the logframe) the project data revealed that planting of juvenile hatchery-reared fish is not economically viable or even effective method to increase the number of the spawning population. Previously, in absence of any scientific data on survival of hatchery-reared juveniles, most fishermen were confident that plantings are the most efficient remedy to the decline of the brown trout in Oulanka river system. The project's results showed that the confidence is not justified: reducing fishing mortality and improving the conditions for natural spawning really are the only available efficient means to safeguard the native brown trout populations. To set an example for other fishing rights owners, Metsähallitus decided to take immediate action to safeguard the worst-faring, River Oulankajoki trout stock by banning trout fishing at least for five years in Oulanka National Park and to ban fishing of all species near Kiutaköngäs waterfall to ensure that the trout that congregate there are not disturbed before the spawning season. The project tried it's best to initiate contacts with the key Russian fisheriesauthorities, that are critical for practical implementation of the brown trout recovery plan and achievement of sustainable trout fisheries across the whole Oulanka river system. The progress made during the project period was not as good as was hoped by the most optimistic of the project staff, and the work to engage the key Russian authorities is continued by Metsähallitus. It may be regarded as an “unforeseen negative result” of the project that due to the project pushing its agenda for the FRCUFW, the FRCUFW delineated that fisheries management issues are outside its scope. On the other hand, the consequences of that delineation may actually improve the political prerequisites for joint management of transborder fisheries.

Expected Results (EN): Developing a model for the joint management of the trout populations through collaboration of Finnish and Russian stakeholders.

Thematic information

Sustainable management of natural resources Waterways, lakes and rivers

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Metsähallitus, Natural Heritage Services (NHS), Ostrobothnia

Address: Torangintaival 2, 93600 Kuusamo, Finland

Legal status: n/a

Northern Fisheries Research Institute (NFRI)

Name: Northern Fisheries Research Institute (NFRI)

Address: Varkausa Emb, 3, 185031 Petrozavodsk, Russia

Legal status: n/a

University of Oulu

Name: University of Oulu

Address: Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, 90014 Oulu, Finland

Legal status: n/a

Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute

Name: Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute

Address: Viikinkaari 4, 00790 Helsinki, Finland

Legal status: n/a

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Partners and Projects info

Northern Fisheries Research Institute (NFRI)

Saving our joint treasure: sustainable trout fisheries for the transborder Oulanka River system

Partners and Projects info

University of Oulu

Saving our joint treasure: sustainable trout fisheries for the transborder Oulanka River system

Partners and Projects info

Metsähallitus, Natural Heritage Services (NHS), Ostrobothnia

Saving our joint treasure: sustainable trout fisheries for the transborder Oulanka River system

Partners and Projects info

Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute

Saving our joint treasure: sustainable trout fisheries for the transborder Oulanka River system

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Saving our joint treasure: sustainable trout fisheries for the transborder Oulanka River system

Project acronym: Saving our joint treasure: sustainable trout fisheries for the transborder Oulanka River system

Project start date: 2013-02-01

Project end date: 2014-12-31

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 639 201.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 287 544.00

Co-financing sources:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2007 - 2013 Karelia ENPI CBC

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2015-04-01

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

70 / 70 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

380 / 380 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Saving our joint treasure: sustainable trout fisheries for the transborder Oulanka River system

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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