How can citizens contribute to shifting policy-making towards sustainability?

Teno River Atlantic Salmon Scale Archive

Wild Atlantic Salmon populations are increasingly threatened, and numerous conservation efforts are ongoing world-wide. The Teno River Atlantic Salmon Scale Archive consists of 150,000 scale samples that have been collected since 1972. These samples have been collected voluntarily by trained fishers, local indigenous Sámi who fish as a part of their livelihood, and tourist fishers.

The scales are sent to the local research station of the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), where they are analysed by reading the growth rings on the scale. The rings provide important information about the life-history of each individual. For decades, this information has been used to inform managers and decision-makers about the Teno river salmon population and thus guide regulations to promote sustainable fishing.