Saimaannorppa dies in fishing net in Taipalsaari – fifth bycatch death this year

An endangered Saimaa ringed seal has died after becoming entangled in a fishing net in Taipalsaari, southern Finland, marking the fifth such incident reported this year.

The male seal, weighing about 53 kilograms and measuring 115 centimetres in length, was discovered by Metsähallitus, Finland’s state forest and park service, on Wednesday 18 March. The incident occurred in the Suur-Saimaa area, within a designated fishing restriction zone where gillnet fishing is permitted between 1 July and 14 April each year.

The fishing gear was found to be compliant with current regulations.

Population under threat

The Saimaa ringed seal population, estimated at around 530 individuals, is critically endangered and found only in Finland’s Lake Saimaa watershed. The species faces multiple threats, including accidental drowning in fishing gear, disturbance during breeding season, deteriorating nesting conditions due to climate change, and habitat alteration.

Last year, Metsähallitus recorded 11 deaths of Saimaa ringed seals due to fishing gear entanglement.