Thanks to good experiences in running directed fishing of cyprinid fish in the Archipelago Sea, John Nurminen Foundation will repeat the concept in the coastal waters of the Bothnian Sea. With the help of local fishermen, the project will remove 50 tons of fish, corresponding to 0,4 t of phosphorus from the Bothnian Sea.

The catch is utilised in institutional kitchens and in the production of Pirkka Saaristolaiskalapihvi (a consumer product produced by Apetit Ruoka Oy). Side streams, such as fish trimmings, are utilised for fish feed or in energy production. 

In total 26550 euros are needed in 2018 to organise a tender for fishermen and to pay them a phosphorus removal fee of 0,53 €/kg cyprinid fish which corresponds to 66 €/removed kg phosphorus. In addition, the fishermen receive a market price for their catch that enters the food chain. The long-term objective, however, is to create favourable circumstances for market-driven fishing operations with no need for external funding.  

The salary of a project manager will be covered by Interreg Central Baltic programme (project NutriTrade) and by John Nurminen Foundation. 

The quantified nutrient reduction/removal is 400 kg for 1 year(s).

The phosphorus removal can be measured in terms of fish uptake, knowing that the cyprinid fish contain 0,8% of phosphorus (0,008*50 t fish=0,4 t P). Removing phosphorus from the ecosystem will reduce eutrophication, and as the fish is intended for human consumption, fishing will also reduce the need for imported fish. By removing cyprinid fish, the project is likely to improve the balance of local fish stocks, too. 

To ensure the ecological and social sustainability of activities, fishing will be restricted with preconditions that all fishermen commit to. Fishing will be limited to underutilised cyprinid fish (bream and roach), whereas all endangered and predator fish will be released from the traps. The traps must be placed so that the ascents of migratory fish are not endangered (e.g. the traps may not be located in the vicinity of river mouths). 

The project will start with preparations for tendering and a call for the fishermen in January 2018. Fishing will start in spring 2018.

The fishermen will regularly report their catch, including fish released from the traps. John Nurminen Foundation will monitor the fishing activities and publish a catch report twice a year. The report includes the amount of overall catch and phosphorus removed from the sea, as well as information on released fish by species. 

Project team

The project will be coordinated by John Nurminen Foundation (JNF), a Finnish private foundation working for Baltic Sea protection since 2005. The Foundation has successfully piloted fishing of cyprinids in 2015-17 and has necessary contacts and knowledge to carry out the activities.

The project will be managed by Miina Mäki, JNF’s project management professional with 11 years’ experience in Baltic Sea protection. Miina has successfully planned and run the pilot phases of local fishing project and holds a Master’s Degree in marine biology.

The project will be implemented in close cooperation with several other professionals from fisheries management, marine research and fishing and food industries, as well as with other stakeholders like the free time fishermen.