31.10.2022
The Iijoki migratory fish projects will continue in the form of the Lohi Iijoki project 2022-2024. The project measures include the monitoring of smolts in Haapakoski and Pahkakoski, the experimental use and development of the downhill migration route, the over-transfer of smolts and elevated fish, the restocking programme for small juveniles, the production of a video about Iijoki and the creation of a website.
"The Salmon Iijoki project is a very necessary project due to important studies and support measures for the restoration of many migratory fish stocks. We get a lot of new information on fish behaviour and the functioning of the Haapakoski downhill migration route”, emphasizes the project manager of the Lohi Iijoki project Mirko Laakkonen Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
‘The Natural Resources Institute Finland is carrying out an extensive telemetry study in the project to investigate the functionality of the downhill migration path built for the Haapakoski power plant, as well as the behaviour and survival of salmon migrating juveniles after the use of the downhill migration path’, says Researcher at Natural Resources Institute Finland Riina Huusko.
The 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 for the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia and 282,000 euros for the Natural Resources Institute Finland. The project will take place from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 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.
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
