This year, fishermen paid 266,700 fisheries management fees. A large proportion of the fishermen do not pay the statutory fee, estimates Metsähallitus.
The fisheries management fee is obligatory for all fishers aged 18–64 who practice any other type of fishing than ice fishing, hook-and-line fishing or fishing with a simple herring rig. The Recreational fishing report published by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) says that the number of parties liable to pay the fee is considerably higher than the number of payers.
‘Unfortunately, it seems that as many as half of the fishermen still fail to pay the fisheries management fee,’ says Specialist Jaakko Haapakoski from Metsähallitus.
The fisheries management fees totalled EUR 9.3 million this year. The number of annual fees decreased by five per cent from the previous year. However, the number of week and day licences increased by 10 per cent.
The funds will be used for fishing waters and fishing in accordance with the Fishing Act.32 per cent of last year's fisheries management fees were distributed as compensation to fishing water owners. 21 per cent was spent on management and control of fishing waters, 16 per cent for advice, 12 per cent for activities in fishery areas, 9 per cent for research and implementation of the Fishing Act, 7 per cent for the costs of collecting the fee and 3 per cent for other costs such as the fisheries register.
The compulsory fisheries management fee also serves as a fishing permit: Once it has been paid, the fisherman can fish with one rod in a large part of the country.
The fisheries management fee can be paid online at the Eräluvat store, with the Eräluvat application, at the service number +358 20 69 2424, at Metsähallitus Nature Centres and R-kiosks. The annual fee is EUR 47, the weekly fee (7 days) is EUR 16, and the daily fee is EUR 6.
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