Press release 1 September 2020
A new project to strengthen migratory fish stocks in Iijoki has been launched in the early autumn. In the Iijoki migratory fish project 2020-2022, the downward migration path and catching device for smolts will be built in Haapakoski, sea salmon and trout will be monitored and overloaded, and small juveniles will be planted. The construction of the Raasakka fish road will be further promoted.
“The new project is a logical continuation of the recently completed Iijoki migratory fish tip project. Supporting the downward migration of migratory juveniles of salmonids is a key area for the recovery of migratory fish stocks in built-up waters, and Haapakoski in Iijoki can be regarded as a national priority in this theme‘, declares the expert: Jouni Tammi Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
In the first phase, Iijoki aims for efficient over-transfers of salmonids by means of catching devices to be built in connection with the Raasaka fish road and the Haapakoski downhill migration channel. If successful, this would make it possible to start the natural cycle of salmonids quite quickly.
“It would be important to have practical information on how the solutions we are promoting work. That is, how the fish are directed to Raasaka's fish road and Haapakoski's downhill migration path and, on the other hand, how they behave when passing through them. Such information will also help prepare bypass solutions for other Iijoki dams’, says Project Manager of the project Mirko Laakkonen Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
The Iijoki migratory fish project 2020-2022 is implemented by PVO-Vesivoima Oy, the Lapland ELY Centre, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ii, Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Taivalkoski, Kuusamo, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, the Iijoki fishing area, Metsähallitus, the North Ostrobothnia ELY Centre and the Natural Resources Institute Finland. The project is coordinated by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The total budget of the project is approximately EUR 1.4 million.
The project has received funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's NOUSU programme, which improves the living conditions of migratory fish and aims to restore the natural reproduction of migratory fish stocks in Finland's current waters.
Additional information: Mirko Laakkonen, Project Manager, Iijoki migratory fish project 2020-2022, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 40 685 4036, mirko.laakkonen(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
