Authorities selected a local fishing company to remove thousands of kilograms of small fish from Lake Saimaa. The three-year management fishing contract aims to improve water clarity and quality in Finland's largest lake system. Järvikalastus Turtiainen from Imatra won the competitive tender to conduct the work through 2027. The company has previous experience with similar management fishing operations in the same area.
The project targets removing at least 35,000 kilograms annually of roach, bleak, bream and small perch from Western Lake Saimaa. Fishing operations will concentrate between Maavesi and Lavikanlahti areas. Spring fishing will use trap nets while autumn operations will employ seine nets.
This type of management fishing represents a common approach in Finnish water conservation. Lakes throughout Finland undergo similar treatments when fish populations become unbalanced. The method helps restore ecological balance by removing dominant small fish species that cloud waters and consume oxygen.
Simo Sihvo, the city's water system specialist, confirmed the approach. He said in a statement that bleak and roach removal will begin later this year. These species particularly contribute to water turbidity when their populations grow too large.
Lake Saimaa's water quality matters beyond local environmental concerns. The lake system supports tourism, fishing industries and provides drinking water for surrounding communities. Improved water clarity also benefits recreational activities and property values along the shoreline.
Management fishing forms part of broader water protection efforts in the Saimaa region. Finnish authorities typically combine multiple approaches including wetland restoration and pollution control. The comprehensive strategy addresses both immediate symptoms and underlying causes of water quality issues.
Local residents and summer cottage owners often welcome such initiatives. Many have noticed declining water clarity in recent decades despite general improvements in wastewater treatment. The visible results from management fishing typically appear within one to two seasons after implementation.
Finland's extensive lake network requires continuous maintenance and monitoring. The country's water protection policies emphasize preventive measures alongside restoration projects. Lake Saimaa's size and ecological importance make it a priority for conservation efforts.
The selected fishing company will need to balance ecological goals with practical implementation. They must coordinate with local fishermen and recreational users while conducting operations. Successful management requires careful timing to minimize disruption to other lake activities.
This project reflects Finland's practical approach to environmental management. Rather than relying solely on technological solutions, authorities combine traditional methods with modern monitoring. The strategy acknowledges that sometimes the most effective solutions involve working with natural systems rather than against them.