A young male Saimaa ringed seal was found dead in a fishing net in Puumala, South Savonia, according to a statement from Metsähallitus, the Finnish Forest Administration. This incident is particularly concerning as it marks the third recorded death of Saimaa seals in fishing nets this year, highlighting ongoing challenges for the conservation of this endangered species. The seal, estimated to be a pup from last spring or at least a young individual, weighed 27 kilograms and measured 90 centimeters in length.

Metsähallitus received a report of the seal caught in a bream net within the monitoring area of Tolvanselkä-Katosselkä in Puumala on Wednesday. Miina Auttila, a specialist in nature conservation, commented that this third seal death this year casts a shadow over the largely positive news regarding record efforts by local volunteers to assist in seal conservation activities. This incident underscores the continuing threats posed by fishing gear in areas where these seals attempt to breed and feed.

According to Metsähallitus, the winter net was part of a fishing restriction area where net fishing is prohibited from mid-April to the end of June to protect seal populations during their mating and pupping season. However, fishing is permitted in February, indicating the complexity of regulations and the need for further education on the impact of fishing practices on vulnerable marine wildlife like the Saimaa seal.