Avainsana: conservation

Julkaistu

RIVERSIDE EXCURSION AT THE MÄTÄJOKI CREEK IN PITÄJÄNMÄKI HELSINKI

A walk on our ’riverside’ today, here in my Helsinki city region Pitäjänmäki – Sockenbacka. Trout are back here, after ten years of diligent work since a leak from a paint factory killed all life in our Mätäjoki – Rutiån creek.

The trout is a highly endangered species here so it has been quite an achievement by the fishing and nature activists to create a conducive environment in this small river.

The government supports this work in many ways and sanctions for illegal fishing are heavy – it would cost 3,260 Euro plus fines to take up a trout from these waters. No wonder that people prefer the fish monger in the close by shopping center.

So a great day and I was especially happy to see also some old friends joining us, like my class mate from school Hans Lindqvist and a friend and colleague from our union years here in Finland, journalist Kari Arola.

Hans Lindqvist and Pekka Lindblad
Pekka Lindblad and Kari Arola

The local association Pitäjänmäki-seura ( Sockenbacka-sällskapet in Swedish ) which I am president of will continue actively supporting these conservation efforts. We have a uniquely wonderful nature here just next to the city centre and want to take care of it. Helsinki (Helsingfors) is actually a great green city to live in.

Julkaistu

ELECTRICAL FISHING IN OUR LOCAL MÄTÄJOKI CREEK IN PITÄJÄNMÄKI HELSINKI

Electrical fishing on 10 October 2019. No, not at all as bad as it sounds. Together with the head of a local sports fishing association I joined experts from the National Resource Center of Finland to find out how the seriously endangered trout is establishing itself in our local creek – Mätäjoki or Rutiån in Swedish.

Leading a weak current to the water, the two gentlemen from this government agency could draw the fish towards the electrically positive pole and catch them for measuring. After this was done they were let back into the water.

And yes, there was lots of trout in these waters that ten years ago were absolutely dead after a chemicals leak from a paint factory. On a test area of 8 x 16 meters they counted 60 trouts, small ones of course, and were surprised themselves. – There would not even be space for more, they commented.

This is part of the environmental work that we support in our local city region, through our local association Pitäjänmäki-seura ( Sockenbacka-samfundet ) that I am president of. And the fishing enthusiasts have done a truly great job which now is bearing fruit.

Learning new things every day.