Restoration efforts underway for Raakku River in Suomussalmi, Finland

Restoration efforts for the Raakku River in Suomussalmi, eastern Finland, are currently in their third day. Approximately 3,500 freshwater mussels, known as Raakku, have been relocated from a damaged area. The river’s ecosystem was severely impacted when logging machinery from Stora Enso crossed the river. The police are investigating the incident as a serious violation of environmental protection laws.

Pirkko-Liisa Luhta, a project manager at Metsähallitus, stated that the Raakku is generally resilient, but the disturbance caused by the machinery has been detrimental to many. Restoration work is slow and requires both manual labor and technical tools. Each mussel is checked before relocation, and a recent assessment indicated there are over 120,000 Raakku in the Hukkajoki.

“This river is one of the most significant habitats for Raakku in Finland, both in terms of quantity and ecological value. Our primary goal is to save as many mussels as possible and protect downstream habitats from further disturbances,” Luhta added. Only individuals with special permits issued by environmental authorities are authorized to handle the mussels.

The Raakku is a critically endangered species, living over 200 years in some cases, but its numbers have dwindled due to human activities such as industrial logging and hydropower development. The LIFE Revives project, running from 2021 to 2027, aims to conduct extensive restoration efforts including habitat mapping and population assessment.

Local residents have expressed surprise at the incident, with many unfamiliar with the Raakku’s existence despite living in the area for years. The community feels that preventative measures should have been taken during logging operations to protect these endangered mussels.