Sick and struggling salmon found in the Torne River – officials say “something is definitely wrong”

Officials in Finland and Sweden are calling for more samples of sick salmon observed in the Torne River, where fish are showing signs of exhaustion and physical damage.

The Finnish Food Authority and Sweden’s National Veterinary Institute (SVA) have confirmed unusual behavior among salmon in the river this summer. Reports describe fish as lethargic and covered in lesions, with some unable to swim properly.

Charlotte Axén, head of department at SVA, said the condition of the fish is concerning. “There are reports that the fish are very exhausted. Something is definitely wrong,” she said.

Marjukka Rask, a senior researcher at the Finnish Food Authority, also noted an increase in reports of poorly performing salmon this year compared to previous years.

Photographs of the affected fish suggest a fungal infection, which typically attacks weakened fish with open wounds or skin hemorrhages. Axén said the fungus is usually a secondary infection that takes hold when fish are already compromised.

Samples taken in June initially showed no major issues, but reports of sick fish surged in July. Full laboratory results are expected after the summer break.

Kalervo Aska, chair of the Tornio-Muonio River Association, has observed the decline firsthand. “There are signs that something is wrong with the fish. They appear weak and some are dying,” he said. He also noted that salmon are not biting hooks, reducing catch rates and discouraging anglers.

Official catch statistics for the Torne and Muonio rivers show a significant drop in reported salmon catches compared to last year.

Both the Finnish Food Authority and SVA are urging anglers and the public to report observations of sick or dead salmon through official reporting channels. Axén emphasized that underreporting is a major issue. “Only official reports are counted,” she said.

Aska stressed the importance of understanding the cause behind the salmon’s lethargy and poor condition, pointing to past outbreaks such as the saprolegnia fungal disease in Norway’s Gaula River last autumn, which led to a sharp decline in spawning salmon and reduced redd counts from 230 to 15 within a year.