1. Baltic Salmon in Estonia Taavi Nuum Estonian Green Movement - FoE

2. State of the stock Wild salmon populations in 9 Estonian rivers in the Gulf of Finland + Pärnu river Wild salmon populations in 9 Estonian rivers in the Gulf of Finland + Pärnu river Condition of wild stock is poor Condition of wild stock is poor Production of wild smolt is very small in several rivers Production of wild smolt is very small in several rivers Parr densities are very low in many rivers Parr densities are very low in many rivers Official catches of salmon in the area are low Official catches of salmon in the area are low

4. Reared stocks Most of the catch orginates from smolt realeses Most of the catch orginates from smolt realeses

5. Management objectives The IBSFC objective is to increase the natural production of wild Baltic salmon to at least 50% of the natural production capacity of each river by 2010, while retaining the catch as high as possible.

6. Main obstacles to achive this goal Blocked migration routes to the reproduction areas Blocked migration routes to the reproduction areas Unpredictable amount of poaching with electrofishing equipment in rivers Unpredictable amount of poaching with electrofishing equipment in rivers

7. Overview of main obstacles on Estonian salmon rivers Kunda river – first dam 2km. Most of reproduction areas are inaccessible Kunda river – first dam 2km. Most of reproduction areas are inaccessible Loobu river – first dam 8 km from mouth important part of potential reproduction areas are inaccessible Loobu river – first dam 8 km from mouth important part of potential reproduction areas are inaccessible Valgejõgi – first dam 8 km, 90% of former reproduction areas are inaccessible Valgejõgi – first dam 8 km, 90% of former reproduction areas are inaccessible Jägala river- first dam 2 km, rebuilded Linnamäe Hydropowerstation Jägala river- first dam 2 km, rebuilded Linnamäe Hydropowerstation Pirita- first dam 14km, riverwater is used for providing drinking water for Tallinn Pirita- first dam 14km, riverwater is used for providing drinking water for Tallinn

8. Overview of main obstacles on Estonian salmon rivers Vasalemma – first dam 7 km, important spawning grounds are upstream from dam Vasalemma – first dam 7 km, important spawning grounds are upstream from dam Pärnu – Sindi dam Pärnu – Sindi dam FISH PASSWAYS AND LADDERS WOULD INCREASE THE SIZE OF REPRODUCTION AREAS

11. Actions to safeguard salmon habitats According to the Ministry of Environment decree from july 2004 in Estonia is 112 rivers and riverparts. Alltogether there are 200 waterbodys which are suitable for salmonids According to the Ministry of Environment decree from july 2004 in Estonia is 112 rivers and riverparts. Alltogether there are 200 waterbodys which are suitable for salmonids It is prohibited to build there new dams and reconstruct old dams in extent, which rise a waterlevel in river It is prohibited to build there new dams and reconstruct old dams in extent, which rise a waterlevel in river

12. Which rivers are protected Jägala jõgi – from waterfall until river-mouth Kunda river – full length Loobu river – full length Pirita river – from first dam until river-mouth Pärnu river – from Tarbja water-reservoir dam until river mouth Vasalemma river – from Ruila dam until river- mouth Vääna river – from Saku dam until river-mouth Selja river – full length Valgejõgi – full length Keila river – from Keila-Joa waterfall until river- mouth

13. Government decree about requirements for damming up the river It should assure fishies passage It should assure fishies passage The built construction should allow to regulate a water level within allowed extent The built construction should allow to regulate a water level within allowed extent Downstream from dam should be guaranteed a sanitary water flow Downstream from dam should be guaranteed a sanitary water flow

14. Thank You!!!