Österbottens Fiskarförbund

Organisation and activity

The Ostrobothnian Fisheries Association was founded in 1930 and is comprised of 91 member organisations; currently 51 water owner associations, 36 fishery assocations and four Fisheries Regions. The region includes the coastal municipalities from Kokkola in the north to Kristinestad in the south. The Fisheries Association aims to promote the fishing industry in its field so that the continued production of fish in the fishing grounds is secured, profitable methods developed for the procurement and utilization of fish production and the increased consumption of domestic fish.

We are an official advisory organisation in the fishing industry, and as such, we receive some governmental funding. Our umbrella organisation is the Federation of Finnish Fisheries Associations. Our advisory services to our members is an important part of our work and most cases involve issues relating to the care of the fishing grounds and fish stocks, as well as issues related to the Fishing Act. We inform our members, individual fishermen and private water owners via member circular and through articles in the fisheries journals ‘Fiskarposten’ (10 issues/year ) and ‘Fiskeritidskrift för Finland’ (4 issues/year). We arrange courses on current issues in fisheries. In recent years we have arranged courses in such areas as maritime safety, hygiene, fish processing, current fisheries legislation, fisheries monitoring and fisheries management. Advice to public mostly concerns questions about fishing opportunities, rights and obligations associated with fishing. Advice is also given in connection with fisheries courses run in schools. We also arrange an annual fish market, ‘The Fishery Day’, which is a popular summer event in Vaasa with about 10,000 visitors annually. The aim of the event is to inform and educate the public about fishing in general, and to promote the consumption of domestic fish. The Fishery Day is held on the second Saturday in June in Vaasa. To participate as a vendor /exhibitor, you should reserve a space in advance in writing.

 

Members of staff

Marina Nyqvist, Executive Manager, marina.nyqvist(at)fishpoint.net

Leif Kaarto, Fisheries Consultant, leif.kaarto(at)fishpoint.net

Ann-Kristin Lindfors, Administrative Secretary, ann-kristin.lindfors(at)fishpoint.net

Anni Selenius, Project Manager, anni.selenius(at)fishpoint.net