5,000 Young Salmon Released into Jägala River
Eesti Energia released 5,000 two-year-old salmon into the Jägala River last week to compensate for the effects of the nearby Linnamäe hydroelectric plant, which hinders natural spawning routes.
The move attempts to imitate the period after spawning, when the salmon has grown into a young fish and is ready to swim into the sea, Postimees reported.
"In the first two to three days, the released fish are very confused," said Tõnis Meriste, manager of Eesti Energia's environmental development department, adding that after that period the fish will head out toward the sea.
"It should be noted, however, that we are talking about alleged spanwing areas, because just one kilometer after the [plant's] dam there is a natural blockage which the fish are not able to pass anyway," said Meriste.
In order to prevent fishermen from taking advantage of the situation and fishing out all of the young salmon, environmental inspectors are patrolling the area of the river where the fish were released and checking fishermen's catches.
The release of young salmon into the Jägala River takes place annually, said Meriste.
Ingrid Teesalu