Concerns rise over salmon population in Tornionjoki River during King Carl XVI Gustaf’s visit to Tornio Valley

Concerns regarding salmon in the Tornionjoki River took center stage during King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden’s visit to the Tornio Valley. In his opening speech, the King highlighted the need to assess the entire lifecycle of the salmon and explore additional conservation measures, especially given the low salmon population in the river over the past two years. “The situation is truly sad and alarming,” he remarked.

Speaking from the Swedish bank at Kattilakoski, the King praised collaborative efforts to restore the river ecosystem, particularly the EU-funded Triwa Life project, which aims to remove migration barriers and restore habitats that have been altered for logging purposes. “With new information and technology, we aim to bring the waterway closer to its original state. This will benefit not only salmon and other fish species but the entire ecosystem along the river,” he said.

The King, who enjoys fishing, emphasized the joy that stronger fish populations can bring to everyone, reminding attendees that the river has been a source of livelihood for local residents for generations. He encouraged ongoing collaboration to improve environmental conditions, especially as the number of ascending salmon has been lower than expected this summer, prompting fishing bans on several rivers in Sweden.

During the discussions, the fate of the river pearl mussels, or “raakku,” was also mentioned. Their survival prospects improve with the restoration of salmon runs, as their larvae live on fish gills during their first year. The unique character of the Tornio Valley and the close ties between Finland and Sweden were echoed in speeches, underscoring the importance of cooperative efforts, particularly post-pandemic. Local attendance was modest, with only a handful of residents drawn to the sunny banks of the river to witness the royal visit.