The Ruunaa Fishing Area – a short introduction

Members and area  

The Ruunaa Fishing Area is a co-operative of the interest groups in fishery within the areas of the cities of Lieksa and Nurmes. The Fishing Area was established in 1985 and its members are Fishing Co-operatives (22 in number), Metsähallitus (Forestry Board), professional fishermen’s associations and associations of recreational fishing. The Lieksanjoki River and the Saramojoki River and the larger lakes Lake Runaanjärvi, Lake Pankajärvi, Lake Sokojärvi, and Lake Kuohattijärvi and many other smaller lakes and rivers all belong to the Ruunaa Fishing Area.

Responsibilities of a Fishing Area 

Paragraph 68 of the Finnish Fishing Law states that a Fishing Area should be independent of municipal borders and it should cover an area in such a way that a uniform approach to fishery matters and fishing conditions is manageable.

The functions of a Fishing Area are guided by fishing law and by other regulations and by the co-operation of interest groups acting on a voluntary basis. A Fishing Area takes care of its fish stocks and organises fishery and fishing services so that the services and conditions meet the satisfaction of fishermen operating in the area. The functions are organised in co-operation with the members of the Fishing Area and the interest groups.

Functions

The functions of the Ruunaa Fishing Area are varied, extensive and based on co-operation. The functions have been developed constantly and in a determined way.

The Ruunaa Fishing Area, which was elected the Fishing Area of the Year in 2000, has a long-standing tradition of supporting the fishing waters of the area. The Ruunaa Fishing Area has taken care of the management of its fishing waters in many ways. In addition to stocking, it has engaged in the regulation of fishing, the catching of spawner and necessary restoration work. The Fishing Area has also participated in the construction and in the development of services and equipment to be used by fishermen and hikers.  

The catches of hen grayling, hen salmon and hen trout have been organised in co-operation with the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute. The Fishing Area has also engaged in small-scale hatchery and has co-operated in growing natural food. In the lake and stream waters, the Fishing Area has taken care of fishery management  and other restoration. Restoration work has also taken place in the reservoirs. The Fishing Area has supported its recovery procedures by regulations such as lowering the minimum mesh size. In addition, the fish stocks have been observed by organising exploratory netting and electro-fishing and with the help of fishing questionnaires.

Projects

The Landlocked Salmon Project of Lake Pielinen and the Lieksanjoki River, administered by the Fishing Area as a Leader project in 1999-2001, has turned into a nationally significant form of co-operation. The measures taken by the Fishing Area for the natural recovery of the landlocked salmon have inspired recreational fishing associations, other fishing areas, fishing corporations, the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, the Fishery Centre, the Regional Employment and Economic Development Centre, the local municipalities and many other parties to participate.

Pertti Miettinen, Chairman of the Board of the Ruunaa Fishing Area