Administration, research and organisations

Fisheries organisations aim to promote the sensible use and management of fishing grounds.

Photo: Ari Saura 

Electrical test fishing on River Kymijoki.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for state-level administration of fishing in Finland. The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) are regional authorities in charge of fishing affairs.

Natural Resources Institute Finland produces information about fishing and fish stocks as a basis for fishing arrangements and fisheries management. Monitoring activities are also carried out by universities, sector organisations and consultancy firms. With the aid of research, people can make use of Finnish fishing waters in line with the principle of sustainable development, while maintaining biodiversity.

Photo: Ari Saura 

A screw trap is used to monitor numbers of smolt or young migratory sea trout on River Pakajoki, a tributary of River Tornionjoki.

The national advisory organisations for fisheries – the Federation of Finnish Fisheries Associations and Finnish Federation for Recreational Fishing (FFRF) and their regional organisations – provide advice for anglers and owners of fishing waters and promote recreational fishing and the fishing industry.

There are several fishing clubs and associations in Finland, which organise competitions and other activities in our extensive fishing grounds.

Waters mostly owned collectively

The majority of Finland's fishing grounds are owned by partnerships, of which there are about 20,000 in total. Water areas are also owned by central and local governments and private individuals. The owner of a water area decides on fishing practices and grants fishing licences.

Finland is divided into 118 fisheries regions, which function as co-operation bodies for owners and users of water areas. Fisheries regions harmonise fishing practices and fisheries management within larger bodies of water areas and sell lure-fishing licences covering extensive areas.

Photo: Jari Tuiskunen 

Fishing organisations encourage young people to take up recreational fishing.