Reader opinion Finland’s journey to a self-sufficient fishing state can no longer be delayed

Opinion|Reader’s opinion

Security of supply and food security are now highlighted. In food production, the focus is often only on agriculture and the potential of fishing is overlooked. Both fishing and fish farming are important ways to increase food security.

In Finland, the self-sufficiency of fish is alarmingly low. Even less than a fifth of the fish bought for food is now domestic.

Consumers want more domestic fish. The political will to increase domestic fish is also strong.

Decisions in principle adopted by the Government aim to triple fish farming. However, good programs and strategies fall into licensing bottlenecks.

Fish farming is by far the most ecologically efficient way to produce animal protein and as much as 99 percent of the load comes from elsewhere. Yet fish farming is still seen as red in licensing, although elsewhere in the world the sector is considered green and growth is tremendous.

The price of fish is now high. Production costs are also rising sharply in the fisheries sector. Especially for salmonids, the Norwegian fish price level. The allowable production of domestic rainbow trout is far too small to have a significant impact on market prices.

Climate-friendly and eco-efficient fish farming must be added rapidly. It succeeds by changing the interpretation and application of the provisions in licensing. There is also a need for the necessary flexibility in the legislation in the event of a crisis.

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Fish farming increases food security.

Ministry of the Environment and the ministry of agriculture and forestry stated at the end of may, in response to a call from the fish farming industry, that licensing and control authorities would certainly be aware of the importance of projects that promote security of supply and food security.

The joint position of the ministries must be identified as a clear practical guideline for opening the licensing bottlenecks. When domestic production is raised to the planned level, it will be able to influence the price level as well.

All common sense is in favor of putting domestic fisheries at the center of food policy. The journey to a self-sufficient fish state is still really long and cannot be delayed any further.

Heikki Mäkinen

economic policy expert

Finnish Fish Farmers Association

Reader opinions are speeches written by HS readers, selected and delivered by HS’s editorial staff. You can leave a comment or read the principles of writing at www.hs.fi/kirjtamielipidekirjoitus/.