28.2.2024
‘In the midst of unbroken peace, Finland’s sixth largest river system, the River Iijoki, opens up.’ With these words, Iijoki of Possibilities, a short document that opens the life of Iijoki at different times of the year, begins.
‘Iijoki of Possibilities is the story of Iijoki's annual cycle and the interaction between man and nature in the river area. Iijoki is a very beautiful shooting environment along its entire length and the long-term work done there, for example to restore migratory fish, is awe-inspiring’, Managing Director of BrainyDay Visual Oy, who was responsible for the production of the document Johannes Valkonen tells.
Located in Northern Ostrobothnia, Iijoki flows through 370 kilometres of northern Finland. Starting from Iijärvi in Kuusamo, Iijoki passes through the areas of Taivalkoski, Pudasjärvi and Oulu and descends to the Bay of Bothnia at the Ii agglomeration.
Iijoki has been both an important source of food and a route for merchandise. Man has influenced this river system through his own actions over the centuries, and Iijoki's construction projects have had a significant impact on the river's migratory fish stocks. On the other hand, the tar transport and logging carried out in the past, as well as the current power economy, have brought vitality to the area.
“The document focuses on the theme of migratory fish and river nature. However, we also wanted to tell you about the history of Iijoki, its cultural heritage and its wide range of recreational opportunities”, says Lohi Iijoki Project Manager Mirko Laakkonen Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
The documentary was produced as part of the Lohi Iijoki project. Other measures in the project include telemetry monitoring of smolts in Haapakoski and Pahkakoski (Natural Resources Institute Finland), underwater camera monitoring of smolts in Haapakoski, experimental use and development of the Haapakoski downhill migration channel, over-transfers of smolts and rising fish, and a planting programme for small juveniles.
‘Iijoki river basin works continuously to restore migratory fish and improve water quality and recreational opportunities’, continue Project Manager Laakkonen.
The Lohi Iijoki project is funded by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, Natural Resources Institute Finland, PVO-Vesivoima Oy, Lapland ELY Centre/Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ii, Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Taivalkoski, Kuusamo and the Iijoki fishing area. The project is also being implemented by Metsähallitus and the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia. The project is managed by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the Natural Resources Institute Finland. The total budget of the project is 902,000 euros, of which 620,000 euros is managed by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and 282,000 euros by the Natural Resources Institute Finland. The project will run from 1 September 2022 to 31 October 2024.
The project has received funding from the NOUSU programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The programme improves the living conditions of migratory fish and aims to restore the natural reproduction of migratory fish stocks in Finland's current waters.
The document can be viewed on YouTube, Facebook and the website of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia: https://www.pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi/kehittaminen/omat-hankkeet/lohi-iijokeen-hanke/
Additional information:
Mirko Laakkonen, Project Manager, Lohi Iijoki -project, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 40 685 4036, mirko.laakkonen(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
Riina Huusko, Project Manager/Researcher, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Lohi Iijoki project, Natural Resources Institute Finland, tel. +358 29 532 2192, rina.huusko(at)luke.fi
