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

Abstract

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.

Rapid evolution in salmon life history induced by direct and indirect effects of fishing

“…However, ongoing socioeconomic issues may limit opportunities for major changes in fishing regulations to alter harvest rates to minimize fisheries-induced evolution ( 21 ). In the Teno river valley, for instance, salmon fishing is a key source of income for locals through fishing tourism as well as the foundation of the Indigenous Sámi culture and identity, and restrictive fisheries regulations can be controversial ( 22 ). The varying selectivity of different net types may provide a means to manage the selection pressures exerted by fishing on the different ages at maturity and genotypes—for example, by regulating the relative use of different types of fishing gear.…”

Arctic roads and railways: social and environmental consequences of transport infrastructure in the circumpolar North

“…This is a prime site for wild Atlantic salmon fishing, as the species can be found across more than 1100 km of the river and its tributaries through which it migrates between the sea and inland waters. The Saami people living in this region call themselves čáhcegátte olbmot in Northern Saami, which means "people living by the shore", and traditional salmon fishing is central to their traditional culture and well-being (Hiedanpää et al 2020). Road construction and stream crossings have threatened this resource.…”

Cumulative Effects on Environment and People

“…It is a "keystone species, providing irreplaceable ecosystem services in both marine and freshwater environments" (LaMere et al, 2020: 2). Salmon is also one of the traditional key resources for Sámi culture (Hiedanpää et al, 2020), and Baltic salmon fishing is one of the oldest traditional livelihoods in the area (Vilkuna, 1974) (Figure 5.1). Baltic salmon is still a very important natural resource for coastal and riverine settlements of the remaining unregulated rivers such as the Torne.…”