In connection with fish introduced to the Maardu Lake, we remind that a permission of the Environmental Board is needed to introduce the fish to a body of water. Carp, like other non-native species, may not be introduced to the bodies of water of Estonia, because these species may be hazardous to the ecosystem of the body of water.
The purpose of Maardu City Government was to clean the Maardu Lake with introduced species, including non-native carp. Such an activity is not allowed since local fauna needs to be maintained in the body of water and not to be disturbed by adding a non-native species; other possibilities have to be found for cleaning. “Besides, carp do not achieve the purpose set to it, it does not clean the bottom of the lake. By grubbing the bottom sediments, carp helps to release nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, intensifying the proliferation of aquatic plants and microalgae even more.
As a result of all of this, the clarity of the water decreases and the state of the body of water deteriorates,” explained Aimar Rakko, Manager of the Bureau of Hunting and Aquatic Biota of the Environment Board.
The Environmental Board learned about the wish of Maardu city to introduce carp to the Maardu Lake via an association of hobby fishermen more than one month ago and the specialists of aquatic biota of the Environmental Board explained back then that permission to introduce carp as a non-native species shall not be granted and some other alternative should be found, if necessary. Since the lake is a place of intensive fishing, the Environmental Board recommended to introduce pike to the lake who help to control the quantity of prey fish better and therefore promote the improvement of the general state of the lake.
“The methodology of cleaning the lake should be selected by the specialists of that field. Acting on your own may result in an opposite effect and instead of the expected benefit, the state of the body of water may deteriorate further. That is why one needs to apply for a permission to introduce fish to bodies of water, in the course of the proceeding of the permission, the Environmental Board shall consider the impact of the planned introduction to the ecosystem of the lake to avoid unwanted consequences,” explained Aimar Rakko.
In addition, a representative of the authority that grants the permission or the Environmental Board needs to be present when fish are introduced. The owner of the body of water or a representative thereof has to be present when fish are introduced to a private body of water, including a body of water not designated for public use.
The Environmental Board has forwarded the information on the case to the Environmental Inspectorate. Violation of the requirements for introduction of fish species naturally occurring in Estonia into bodies of water is punishable by a fine of up to 300 fine units, in the case of legal persons, by a fine of up to 32,000 euros.
For more information on the application for the permission please contact the specialists of the Bureau of Hunting and Aquatic Biota of the Environmental Board.
Additional information:
Aimar Rakko
Manager of the Bureau of Hunting and Aquatic Biota of the Environmental Board
E-mail: aimar.rakko@keskkonnaamet.ee
Phone: 5306 9104
