FTimes - STT Report, Nov. 22
File Photo – Lehtikuva.
One in every three professional fishermen reported to have suffered losses caused by seals in 2013, said the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute.
The loss suffered by fishermen is estimated at 466,000 euros.
The seals are estimated to have eaten or damaged 155 tonnes of fish or fishermen’s gears.
The most affected by the seals were the whitefish fishermen.
As a result of damage by seals, 48 tonnes of white fish, 24 tonnes of salmon, 21 tonnes of herring and 19 tonnes of pike perch caught were deemed unfit for use.
According to the Game and Fisheries Research Institute, the value of the loss caused by seals last year was similar to that in the previous year.
Approximately 1,500 fishing units engage in professional fishing around the country.
