UPM Biofore Magazine 1-2018

Restoring fish stocks and preserving biodiversity is a long-term effort requiring committed work for many years into the future.

these efforts through collaboration and jointly funded projects,” Tammi says. Collaborative projects have already been completed in ten different river systems. The projects are usually led by the regional council, withmunicipalities working in collaboration with power companies or the local Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. Restoring fish stocks and preserving biodiversity is a long-term effort requiring committed work for many years into the future. “Hydropower operators play a key role in solving these problems, but they cannot do it alone. Collaborative models are the most effective,” Tammi states. A good example is the Laurinvirta project launched three years ago by Kuurnan Voima, a local power company planning improvements to its hydropower plant. UPM is involved in the project as a funding partner. Reviving landlocked salmon The aim of the project is to promote the natural reproduction cycle of landlocked freshwater salmon. The endangered landlocked salmon in Lake Saimaa have been unable to reproduce naturally for 50 years. A dedicated five-hectare area in the Pielisjoki River has now been reserved exclusively for spawning. “Mature landlocked salmon will be able to swimupriver to the floodway of the Kuurna power plant

without human intervention,” says Senior Scientist Jorma Piironen fromNatural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). Kuurnan Voima is building a small power plant on the flood dam at the top of the floodway. This will keep the water level high enough for the salmon without hindering power generation too much. A submerged weir is planned for the mid-section of the floodway, as well as a network of channels and bars to mitigate the effects of fluctuating water levels on the fish habitat. “The eggs and the parr (young salmon) require different conditions, which adds complexity. Furthermore, the parr have varying requirements in the summer and winter. This is why we used computer-aidedmodelling. The spawning area will be the first of its kind in Finland.” Covering approximately 300 x 200metre, the area is expected to be ready by September next year. “If we stay on schedule, we might see fish swimming upriver to spawn in the area next autumn. With a bit of luck, we might even see the first offspring in November next year.” Juvenile salmon spend the first two to three years of their life in the river. After reaching the smolt stage, they move downstream to spend two to four years in the lake area before maturing to adulthood. It will take several years for the first fish hatching in the Laurinvirta area to return upstream for spawning. 

“After the SecondWorldWar, power generation took precedence. Even though power plant permits specify requirements for maintaining fish stocks, the bar was set quite low.” Permit requirements have been a topic of debate for about 20 years now – without any desired outcomes. Now, however, the authorities are taking action. Finland has adopted a National Fish Passage Strategy prioritising the restoration of the natural reproductive cycle of migratory fish in harnessed waterways. This government programme has seen an additional EUR 8 million in funding allocated for the restoration of fish stocks. In the meantime, the trade association Finnish Energy and Finnish power companies, too, are getting involved in the effort in finding ways to help increase the fish stocks. Structural modification of existing power plants is both difficult and expensive, added to which it is not obvious at all which solutions would be the most effective in supporting fish reproduction. “A lot of research and development work is still required. We can advance Collaborative projects pave the way forward

UPM ENERGY FACTS

•UPM Energy is the second largest electricity producer in Finland. •UPM Energy owns 8 hydropower plants and shares in other hydropower plants (Pohjolan Voima Oy, Kemijoki Oy and Kainuun Voima Oy), as well as a stake in the Länsi- Suomen Voima Oy energy company. •Hydropower is part of UPM’s strategy of using renewable and responsible raw materials and innovations. •UPM has implemented a migratory fish programme to help fish migrate more freely. This involves removing obstacles to their migration and trying out new innovations to restore fish stocks in various parts of Finland.

RESTORING FISH STOCKS and preserving biodiversity is a long-term effort. Kuurnan Voima, a local power company in northeastern Finland, is building a small power plant on the flood dam at the top of the floodway. This will keep the water level high enough for the salmon without hindering power generation too much. UPM HAS IMPLEMENTED a migratory fish programme to help fish migrate more freely. This involves removing obstacles to their migration and trying out new innovations to restore fish stocks in various parts of Finland.

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