The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC) left an inspection initative plea on Friday to Minister of Justice Jari Lindström. The association says it is concerned for the migration paths of fish.
Revitalising migratory fish stocks is important not only for fishermen but also for tourism along rivers, extending to regional employment.
FANC: Some hydroelectric plants at unfair advantage
FANC says that Finland's largest migratory fish rivers are currently being utilised by hydroelectric plants, with the exception of the four rivers of Tenojoki, Näätämöjoki, Tornionjoki and Simojoki.
But not all permits and plants are obligated to take action for the benefit of the fishery industry, including but not restricted to stocking waterways with fish and paying planting fees.
FANC now says it wants Finland's Water Act to be reassessed in terms of fishery-oriented obligations for all water permits and hydroelectric power plants, which would also ensure fair treatment across plants.
"At the moment the plants are at a disadvantage, as some have fishery-related duties while others do not," specialist Ilpo Kuronen says.
The association says that the future of migratory fish stocks is dependent on a rehaul of the Water Act. FANC says it wants a working group to be set up to oversee a reassessment of the act, and that reworking the law would be the best way to further the conservation of at-risk fish populations.
