People, fish and seal: fostering coexistence

For a long time, Saimaa ringed seals (norppa, in Finnish) were considered as enemies by the many people who fished in Lake Saimaa. Until 1948, a bounty was paid for every seal that was killed, and it's only in 1955 that they became protected by the law.
Old habits are hard to shake. In general, people support nature protection, but things become complicated when it impacts the way they want or are used to live their life. Environmental education is key, and that's what associations like Suomen Luonnonsuojeluliitto (The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, SLL) are working on. They visit schools, fairs, organise museum exhibitions... the idea is to bring people onboard, to turn opponents into advocates and further the cause of the seal.

​My photo story on Saimaa ringed seal conservation is, well, exactly that: it's not only about the seals, but about the conservation program as a whole, and all the matters related to it. Here are a few events I attended in the past year.

Art and natural science exhibition in Savonlinna Museum

"Learn about the norppa" event in Varkaus, for kids, families... and everyone interested!

I joined Hanne Kosonen, Kaarina Tiainen and Marjaana Kovanen, all from SLL, as they told people about the norppa.

Activities introduced kids to the fishes of Lake Saimaa, and to the life of a Saimaa ringed seal.

The images below show the model of a snowdrift where a mother seal gives birth to its pup. It was crafted by Kaarina, as were the plushies at the top of the article and the clothing in the museum exhibit.

"Nets for traps" event in Liperi

Nowadays, there are only a few professional fisher people on the lake, but there are thousands who fish for recreational purposes. Fishing nets have been their weapon of choice, but they are deadly to seals, especially young ones that get caught in them and drown. There is partial net ban in Lake Saimaa, but every year, as soon at it ends in late June, a few baby seals are found dead. SLL have been advocating for more complete legislation, but they have also been talking to fisher people themselves to convert them to using seal-safe fish traps.
Every year, SLL distribute more than a hundred free fish traps to volunteers who agree not to use nets in Lake Saimaa anymore... but first, the traps need to be built!

Openings need to be 15cm wide, or narrower, to prevent a seal from sticking its head in and getting stuck. The first slit (not pictured) is reinforced with an extra bar in the middle, to make sure it doesn't stretch.

The French student team of Sous l'Aile du Pygargue are making a reportage on nature conservation in the Nordics. They tried there hand at building a fish trap!

D-day in Liperi. More than 140 traps were handed out this year!

After signing their "oath", fishing people were given a ticket that let them pick up a trap.

Some people brought their nets, but it wasn't compulsory. The whole process is voluntary and based on good faith.

Juha Taskinen is a photographer, author and professional fisherman who's done a ton of work for norppa protection. He was demonstrating a seal-safe fyke net that he's designed.

This huge contraption is anchored in the lake for a week or so, and is used to catch pike, pike-perch and bream.

This grid prevents seals from getting caught.

Seals may find their way out to the entrance, or escape through those hole at the top.

​This project was partially funded by a grant from FINNFOTO.