Finland says those over 65-years-old can fish for free
The government has agreed on contentious fishing law details concerning elderly fishers. From next year onwards, over-65-year-olds will not have to pay for a fishing permit.
Waiving the fee for pensioners will increase the fee for other fishers. According to information obtained by Yle, the price of a national permit will rise from 35 to 39 euros. The government is to finalise the details of the proposed new legislation on Thursday.
Disagreements over pensioners’ fishing permits slowed down preparing the legislation. The NCP Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Petteri Orpo, pushed for one national fishing permit to be paid by all adult fishers, while the Social Democrats wanted no fees for those over 65.
Ice fishing and simple fishing with a hook and line will remain free, and under-18-year-olds will not have to pay for a permit.
The national permit will replace previous provincial permits. The new fishing legislation is to come into effect from the start of 2015. The previous legislation has been in force for over 30 years.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Is a fishing boom in the Arctic a sure thing?, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Fishing-net death toll of endangered seals continues to rise in Finland, Yle New
Norway: Norway-Russia fishery expedition finds abundance of cod, decline in other species, Barents Observer
Sweden: Record numbers for Swedish wild salmon, Radio Sweden
United States: Unusual species in Alaska waters indicate parts of Pacific warming dramatically, Alaska Dispatch
