Lapland ELY Center grants special permits for culturally-based fishing of Teno salmon, aiming to preserve Sami traditions

The Lapland ELY Center has granted special permits to a total of nine applicants so far for the culturally-based fishing of Teno salmon. These include Nikun Eräpalvelut (3 salmon), Ohcejoga Gievrrat ry (4 salmon), the owners and holders of the rights of Piesjoensuun Kantatila and Poroniemen Tila (2 salmon), the owners and rights holder of Tanssijoen Kantatila (2 salmon), and the owners and right holders of Sivulan Kantatila (4 salmon).

The Bihtozat family association (3 salmon), the owners and right holders of Poarespaikan Kantatila (2 salmon), the Vulle-Jon Savuona Luossabivdit salmon fishermen (4 salmon), and the shareholders of Jegelvei 4 Rn (4 salmon) have also received permits.

Ohcejoga Gievrrat, one of the organizations that received special permission, is a Sami society based in Utsjoki. The association’s member Ilmari Tapiola said they plan to discuss how to implement the fishing together. As they can only catch fish under 65 centimeters, he expressed doubt about the feasibility of the operation. However, Tapiola emphasized the importance of showing children how stationary net fishing works.

Those granted special permits were given the same conditions for culturally-based fishing. Applicants must ensure that the local fishing rights holder always participates in active fishing. The fishing is to be suspended immediately when the quota of Atlantic salmon notified to the applicant has been reached. A catch diary must be kept and presented to supervisors upon request, and sent to the ELY Center within a week. All salmon over 65 centimeters long must be immediately released.

The fishing period is from July 15 to 28, 2024. Applicants can freely choose two fishing days per week. Only one fishing tool may be used at a time, except for rod fishing, which is not allowed.

The Lapland ELY Center received 30 applications for special permits for salmon fishing on the Teno River for cultural and educational purposes. Salmon fishing on the Teno River has been banned for the fourth consecutive year due to the sharp decline in salmon stocks. A fishing rule that came into effect in May allows for the granting of special permits to organizations to preserve Sami fishing culture and traditional knowledge.

These special permits are specifically aimed at communities such as fishery areas, shareholder communities, and village societies, rather than individual families or clans.