Finnish government reintroduces fishing restrictions to protect endangered Saimaa ringed seal

The Finnish government has reinstated temporary fishing bans in Lake Saimaa to safeguard the critically endangered Saimaa ringed seal, national broadcaster Yle reports. The restrictions take effect on Friday, 15 May, after a month-long gap in legal protections for the species.

Under the new regulations, gillnet fishing will be prohibited until the end of June, with the ban potentially extending into July if the seal population fails to grow as hoped. The restrictions remain in force until April 2031.

The decision follows a delay caused by disagreements between the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Environment Minister Sari Multala (National Coalition Party) had pushed for an extension through July, while Agriculture Minister Sari Essayah (Christian Democrats) argued that existing protections were sufficient, citing steady population growth.

Population growth will be assessed using a five-year rolling average. If growth falls below 4 percent, the fishing ban will automatically extend to 15 July, and potentially through the end of July in subsequent years.

The previous restrictions expired in mid-April, leaving the seals unprotected for a month. Conservation group WWF reported finding fishing nets in seal habitats just a week after the ban lapsed.