Sharp decline in large female salmon in Teno River

Experts concerned about future of major spawning area

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By Tapio Mainio
     
      Researchers are concerned about the decline in the in the number of large female salmon weighing more than ten kg. in the River Teno, which marks the border between Finland and Norway.
      The Teno is one of Europe’s best salmon rivers, and initial reports indicate that the number of female salmon of more than three sea years of age, is expected to be the smallest that it has been in nearly 40 years.
      “Large female fish produce more, and bigger eggs than small mature salmon. In addition, large and strong females are able to dig spawning holes on in the spawning area of the main channel of the Teno, where the riverbed is composed of larger stones. Small salmon are not able to multiply in these conditions”, says researcher Eero Niemelä of the Teno River Research Station of the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute.
     
Larger fish become sexually mature after three to five years at sea, while some of the salmon there are ready to multiply after just one year at sea.
      The eggs of large salmon mature into large and viable young, which can survive the challenges of life at sea.
      “Achieving reproductive maturity after three years at sea, for instance, is a hereditary characteristic of female salmon. Maintaining it is important for maintaining sufficient production of young in the main channel”, Niemelä says.
      Only about 40 large salmon weighing more than 20 kg. have been caught this summer. In the years immediately after the war hundreds were caught each month.
     
The reduction in large spawning fish will inevitably have an effect on the number of salmon in coming years. Finnish and Norwegian fish researchers are recommending restrictions on fishing.
      In the best years, 1970 and 2000, about 250 tonnes of salmon were caught in the river. An equivalent amount of salmon originating in the Teno River were caught at sea off the coast of the north of Norway. Last year’s salmon catch was about 130 tonnes.
      Finnish and Norwegian salmon officials will meet in October to decide on possible changes to the Teno River fishing treaty. Norway has already restricted salmon fishing in its sea area, and further restrictions are being planned. Norway hopes that fishing might also be curtailed on the part of the river shared by the two countries.
     
Increasing restrictions on the popular areas of Alaköngäs and Yläköngäs could prove difficult, however, as the tourism industry of Utsjoki in the far north of Finnish Lapland, depends almost exclusively on salmon.
      Work as fishing guides and offering housing services are significant sources of income in the area. Boat rentals and licences also bring in money.
      The respective ministries of the two countries make the decisions on fishing rights in the river, and in Finland, the matter is ultimately brought before Parliament. The process is somewhat cumbersome, considering how important quick action would be.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 22.8.2009


Links:
  Teno-salmon.com
  Teno info. (PDF file)

TAPIO MAINIO / Helsingin Sanomat
tapio.mainio@hs.fi