Eleventh Saimaa ringed seal dies in fishing net this year

A Saimaa ringed seal pup has drowned in a fishing net in Rantasalmi, bringing the number of known deaths in fishing gear this year to 11, Yle reported, citing Metsähallitus.

The seal was found on Wednesday, July 29, in Lake Haukivesi. The net was in an area covered by fishing restrictions, but its mesh size and twine thickness had been permitted since the start of July. The mesh was about 65 millimetres wide and the twine was no thicker than 0.20 millimetres.

A person travelling on the lake discovered the dead seal. When the carcass was handled, fishing net was found wrapped around its head.

The male seal was about 99 centimetres long and was probably born this spring. Its condition indicated that it had become trapped in the net in July.

This was the fourth seal death in fishing gear reported to Metsähallitus after being discovered by a member of the public. The actual number of deaths is therefore likely to be higher than 11.