Saimaan norppa left without legal protection as government delays new fishing restrictions

The legal protections for the endangered Saima ringed seal expired on Wednesday, leaving the species temporarily unprotected as the Finnish government has yet to decide on new fishing restrictions, reports national broadcaster Yle.

Current restrictions on fishing in Lake Saima, designed to protect the rare freshwater seal, ended at midnight, but the Cabinet has not finalised replacement measures. The delay creates a dangerous gap in protection, as the lake’s ice has already melted—allowing fishing activity to resume.

Environmental groups, including the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, are urging an extension of the net-fishing ban until at least the end of July. Six Saima ringed seals have already died in fishing nets this year, according to conservationists. Research suggests the actual number of seal deaths caused by nets may be three times higher than reported.

Dispute over summer restrictions

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Sari Essayah (Christian Democrats) and Climate and Environment Minister Sari Multala (National Coalition Party) have publicly disagreed over whether the net-fishing ban should be extended into July. The Cabinet could make a decision as early as Thursday.

Under existing rules, net fishing has been prohibited in the seal’s key habitats from mid-April to the end of June. Local fishing cooperatives, which share responsibility for enforcing restrictions, have pledged to uphold the current limits despite the legal gap.

Harry Härkönen, a fisheries advisor for the South Savo Fisheries Centre, confirmed that cooperatives remain committed to protection efforts but oppose extending restrictions into July—a critical month for local and recreational fishing. “July is the most important fishing month for residents, holidaymakers, and anglers,” Härkönen said.

Climate change adds pressure

Conservationists warn that earlier springs, linked to climate change, are worsening conditions for the Saima ringed seal. This year’s unusually early ice melt has increased the risk of seals becoming entangled in nets.

“Every five years, we end up debating the same protections. It’s concerning that we can’t establish long-term solutions,” said Kaarina Tiainen, a Saima ringed seal expert at the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation. The group recently delivered a petition with over 14,500 signatures to Minister Essayah, calling for earlier spring restrictions in future.

“Climate warming is already degrading the seal’s breeding conditions. If we don’t act now, it may be too late in five years,” Tiainen added.

The Saima ringed seal, one of the world’s rarest seals with a population of around 500, relies on these protections for survival. Conservationists stress that without immediate action, the species’ recovery could be reversed.