Saimaa Ringed Seal lair counts in progress, new lair sites found

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

9.4.2010 11.02

Press release -

Due to a winter of heavy snows, a good nesting year is anticipated for the Saimaa Ringed Seal. In the light of the first lair count data, it appears that seal nesting this year may succeed better than last year. This is indicated by the fact that nests of young have been found from new areas on the borders of Puumala and Ristiina, Haapaselkä in Joroinen and Haapaselkä in Puumala. In addition, a seal pup has been detected in Kolovesi after last year’s zero result.“On behalf of these small seal pups, I appeal to all who fish in the breeding areas of the Saimaa Ringed Seal: please leave your nets on the hook during the period of 15 April – 30 June,” declares Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sirkka-Liisa Anttila, who acquainted herself with the seal count on 9 April. Now it must be assured that the pups born at new nesting sites outside the agreement areas are allowed to grow safely.

The fishing restriction agreements cover the majority of the most important breeding areas for the Saimaa Ringed Seal. In the fishing restriction agreements, the partners agree to refrain from fishing with nets during what is, from the perspective of the Saimaa Ringed Seal, the most critical period – i.e. 15 April – 30 June. The agreement area is now over 1,500 square metres in size and new agreements are being made continuously. Nevertheless, the area is still not completely integrated.

“Attempts to fill in the ‘gaps’ in the area must be continued,” Ms Anttila emphasizes. In accordance with the recommendations of the Saimaa Ringed Seal and Fishing monitoring group, the entire core area for Saimaa Ringed Seal nesting should be brought within the jurisdiction of the fishing restriction agreements by 30 November 2010.

The proposal for amendment to section 37 of the Fishing Act is currently under reading in the Finnish Parliament. By means of this legal amendment, the government may, as required, prohibit certain types of catches or methods of fishing in order to protect an endangered species for a prescribed period. The proposal enables the enactment of the necessary fishing restrictions required by Saimaa Ringed Seal conservation as well as compensation for possible detriment caused by these restrictions.

The lair count which goes on each spring is in full swing. The Saimaa Ringed Seal population has already been studied and monitored for a long time in good cooperation with East Finland University and Metsähallitus. This year, the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute is also participating in the assessment of Saimaa Ringed Seal prevalence by means of aerial surveys. Aerial surveys are being performed on the last remaining ice.

More information:
Roni Selen, Senior Inspector, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. +358 40 507 39 34
Tuomo Kokkonen, Conservation Biologist, Metsähallitus (lair counts), tel. +358 40 352 50 78
Mervi Kunnasranta, Researcher, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute (aerial surveys), tel. +358 40 532 94 96

Sirkka-Liisa Anttila