Proposed July gillnet ban on Lake Saimaa risks undermining conservation cooperation

A government proposal to extend a gillnet fishing ban to July on Lake Saimaa could collapse years of successful conservation partnerships, local fishing representatives warn, despite the endangered Saimaa ringed seal population already exceeding recovery targets.

The dispute centres on Environment Minister Sari Multala’s push to expand the existing spring ban—currently in force from 15 April to 30 June—to include July, a move opposed by fishing associations and waterbody owners. Matti Viialainen, chair of the South Savo Fisheries Centre, told Yle that current restrictions have already proven effective, with seal numbers growing faster than expected under the existing rules.

“There’s no biological justification for a July ban,” Viialainen said. “The population has thrived with the current limits, and July is our most critical fishing month for both livelihoods and domestic fish supply.”

Waterbody owners, who voluntarily enforce seasonal bans on 3,000 km² of the lake’s 4,500 km² surface area, have threatened to withdraw from all conservation efforts if the proposal advances. This includes ending participation in nest-site maintenance, population counts, and predation control—measures that have underpinned the seal’s recovery since 2013.

Jouni Koskela, a former conservation biologist with state forest agency Metsähallitus, warned the conflict could escalate into a “seal war,” reversing decades of progress. “Losing this cooperation would be far worse than occasional bycatch,” he said. “The seals are doing well, but trust is fragile.”

The current five-year protection regulation expired on 14 April, leaving the species temporarily unprotected while the government delays a decision. Waterbody owners have urged ministers to resolve the impasse, citing financial uncertainty and unanswered questions about compensation for lost fishing income.

Viialainen stressed that without a new agreement, owners would also refuse permits for artificial seal nests on their waters. “If we’re denied the right to fish, bitterness will override collaboration,” he said. “We need balance—protection and sustainable fishing.”