20.6.2023
Atlantic salmon and trout are relocated to the rivers Iijoki and Livojoki. This summer also smolts, i.e. salmon and trout migratory chicks, are moved to the estuary. The over-transfers support the creation of salmonid stocks stigmatised in the river Iijoki.
Commercial fishermen catch overloading fish from the estuary of the Ii River. The fish are transported in water tanks by cars to the waters above the power plants. Approximately 200 specimens are expected to be transferred. Transfers will be made in June. If necessary, transfers will continue towards the end of the summer. The transfer of eskers enables the reproduction of Atlantic salmon and trout in the free rapids and streams of the Ii River and its tributaries.
Smolt transfers, on the other hand, allow fish to safely bypass five dams downstream and access to sea migration. At the Haapakoski power plant, the smolts are guided through a control fence to the downward migration path and in the path itself to the fish catching cages. Smolts are also transported past dams in water tanks by cars. Smolt transfers take place in early summer and end in July at the latest. For the time being, the quantities of fish being transferred are very moderate.
‘The transfer of smolts is new in Iijoki and has hardly been carried out anywhere else in Finland. Gradually, we will start to learn about the functioning of transfers”, says Lohi Iijoki Project Manager Mirko Laakkonen Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
The over-transfer of cranes is permitted in the Iijoki fishing area. The fishing area has authorised salmon to the river Iijoki
The project is responsible for the implementation of over-transfers. The Lohi Iijoki project has ordered the transfer of rising fish from Osuuskunta Team Kala and the transfer of smolts from Korpilaavu Oy.
The measures of the Lohi Iijoki project include telemetry monitoring of smolts in Haapakoski and Pahkakoski (Natural Resources Institute Finland), underwater camera monitoring on the Haapakoski smolt migration path, experimental use and development of the migration path, over-transfers of smolts and elevated fish, a planting programme for small juveniles and the production of a video about Iijoki.
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 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
