Beliefs in Conflict: The Management of Teno Atlantic Salmon in the Sámi Homeland in Finland

The subarctic Teno River is one of the most significant spawning rivers for Atlantic salmon in Europe. In 2009, research indicated that the Teno salmon stock was in a weak state, and concern about the future of Atlantic salmon in the Teno River arose on both sides of the river, in Finland and Norway. In 2017, the governments ratified the new Teno fishing agreement (Teno Fishing Act 2017). The agreement aimed to reduce the fishing volume by 30%, and the new regulations concerned all users, including the indigenous Sámi, other locals, tourists, and fishing entrepreneurs. This triggered concern and anger in the Sámi community and among other locals generally. The dispute raised a question concerning the management of Teno salmon. We conducted a Q inquiry with 43 statements, covering aspects of interest, knowledge, management, and policy needs related to Teno salmon. We hypothesised that the key reason for the management tensions lay in how scientific and traditional knowledge fitted administrative knowledge requirements. By using self-organising maps (SOMs), four webs of beliefs emerged from the data: traditional Sámi fishing; salmon protection; equal economic opportunity; and evidence-based decision-making. We also further analysed the statements according to how they reproduced diverging and similar beliefs. We discuss the identity-related struggle, rights, and stakes and the underlying issue of confidence and respect.

Facing up to the threat of gyrodactylus salaris to Atlantic salmon.

Gyrodactylus salaris, a skin parasite, is the most important disease threat to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations in Europe. The parasite was regarded as harmless in its original geographic distribution - the Baltic (Finland, Russia and Sweden). However, the parasite spread to Norway, where it has decimated wild salmon populations in 45 rivers, and Russia where a White Sea salmon stock has been affected. Eradication of the parasite has only proved possible through the destruction of all fish within a river; a difficult and environmentally damaging process. Movements of infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have probably resulted in its widespread distribution in Europe. G. salaris illustrates the potential disease threats to wild fish from the movement, both international and national, of farmed fish. The protection of wild Atlantic salmon, already declining and threatened over much of its range, from G. salaris is a serious challenge for scientists and policy makers. Improved methods of eradication, faster and more reliable diagnostic methods, and an assessment of its current distribution are required.