Pikeperch increasing and vendace decreasing as the most valuable inland species
The commercial inland fishery catch totalled 5.1 million kilos in 2021, showing a slight decrease from the previous year. Group 1 fishers – those engaged more full-time in fishing – accounted for the majority of the catch. The crayfish catch totalled 734,000 crayfish, of which almost all were signal crayfish. The total value of the commercial inland fishery catch was EUR 15.4 million, almost the same as in 2020.
This information is shown by the 2021 commercial inland fishery statistics of the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).
“The pikeperch catch continued to increase from its previous peak in 2020, being even more strongly the most important inland species measured by value. The largest pikeperch catches were recorded in North Karelia. Other key pikeperch regions included Northern Savonia, Kainuu, Pirkanmaa and Tavastia, and Central Finland. The total pikeperch catch was 926,000 kilos. The vendace catch of 2.0 million kilos was the smallest in 25 years. When measured by the catch volume, roach was the third most significant species with its catch of 444,000 kilos,” says Mika Rahikainen, senior statistician at Luke.
Group 1 fishers accounted for the majority of the value of the commercial inland fishery catch
Group 1 fishers covered 92 per cent of the catch value, while group 2 fishers – those engaged in fishing as a part-time activity – accounted for eight per cent. Group 1 fishers made up more than 90 per cent of the catch value regarding all species except for European whitefish (76 per cent), pike (84 per cent) and noble crayfish (88 per cent).
Commercial fishers are registered in two groups. The first group consists of fishers whose average turnover exceeds EUR 10,000 during the last three accounting periods. New fishers can also belong to group 1 based on their action plan approved by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY). All other commercial fishers belong to the second group. Group 1 fishers are given priority in legislation when granting subsidies and strengthening fishing capabilities.
Based on the catch value and the number of fishers engaged in fishing, the average value of the catch recorded by group 1 fishers (excluding value added tax) was EUR 45,000, while that recorded by group 2 fishers was a little more than EUR 1,000 in 2021.
The value of the pikeperch catch was EUR 6.0 million and that of the vendace catch, including roe, was EUR 4.8 million. Signal crayfish was the third most important species at EUR 946,000. The total value of the European whitefish catch was EUR 877,000 million. Perch (EUR 641,000), pike (EUR 609,000) and roach (EUR 395,000) continued to be key species.
No change in the number of commercial fishermen – only a few active fishers
At the end of 2021, the register of commercial fishermen maintained by the ELY Centre included 1,751 commercial fishers. However, some fishers were not engaged in any fishing activities, and many caught small catches.
More detailed information about the statistics is available at https://www.luke.fi/en/statistics. The statistical database includes information about catches since 1962.
