Estonia’s Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse is dedicated to protecting the nation’s aquatic life
This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 4 2025.
The guiding principle behind Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse, an Estonian grassroots volunteer fish protection organisation, is we don’t just protect the fish, we protect the future. What began as a small conservation effort by like-minded, -nature-oriented individuals has transformed into one of the nation’s leading conservation efforts, boasting a team of everyday volunteer citizens who play a crucial role in safeguarding Estonia’s aquatic areas and marine life.
From participating in late night patrols to educating the public of the importance of preserving the country’s rich natural resources, -Vabatahtlik Kalalaitse is one of Estonia’s most important efforts in preserving the nation’s aquatic landscapes. Each fish counts, say Rait Kikkamägi and Siim Uustalu, leaders and long-standing members of the organisation, we do this because of the future we want.
A small group of anglers becomes a nation-wide phenomenon
The humble origins of Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse lie in the pure dedication from a small group of Estonian anglers. In 2014, a group of members from the Eesti Kalastajate Seltsi, or the Estonian Fishermen’s Association, participated in a walk along the Keila River with the goal of monitoring fishery related activity. Over time, this small working group and its monitoring activities gained popularity and Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse was established. These walks along Estonia’s waters were prompted by individuals noticing poaching activity in local rivers and being alarmed by the sight. In response, these anglers would set up camps to monitor activity and alert law enforcement of anything illegal. The consistency and diligence of the organisation is what has helped it to build it up to what it is today. -Initially, the -movement was self-funded by volunteers, but as it has built credibility, Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse has earned government funding for its projects. Now, say the two leaders, they use this funding to buy boats, drones, and other tactical equipment to help monitor fishing activity.
Leaders and longtime members of Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse, a volunteer fish protection organisation,
Siim Uustalu (left) and Rait Kikkamägi.
At its core, the organisation relies entirely on the efforts of its volunteers, so depending on availability, projects are scaled differently. The say that there are about ten individuals who work on projects every day, 365 days a year. Other volunteers are less consistent, but as the organisation has become better known, its outreach has grown as well. Today, social media is Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse’s strongest form of communication, while maintaining the integrity of the company’s mission -remains an -important tenet of recruiting volunteers. The company’s core group of workers says that it is dedication that matters more than numbers. We don’t accept just anyone, Mr -Kikkamägi -explains. No one can enter the organisation before a background check -because you never know who will want to join. Trust is everything for us.
Regular patrols keep poachers at bay
Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse prioritises recruiting individuals who are driven to protect Estonia’s waters from poaching. In the past, the organisation has been infiltrated by poachers themselves disguised as volunteers, trying to play a “double game” and gain insights into the techniques used to identify illegal activity. Learning from these mistakes, the initiative now has measures in place to vet potential members. So, what does Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse’s work look like in practice? Membership tasks can vary from patrolling rivers, to collecting fish data, to reporting illegal activity. Volunteers may also contribute to educational work in local communities, sharing their knowledge of conservation with other anglers and lovers of the outdoors. The organisation prioritises always being available and prepared to catch illegal activity. We are not just walking around and waiting for something to happen, Mr Uustalu clarifies. We always have a plan, we communicate by radio, and use night vision and other equipment, depending on what we need, when we patrol.
Volunteers must be prepared to work at night and to walk through rough terrain to keep an eye out for poachers.
The patrols are well organised. Last autumn in Pärnu, members walked two kilometers through forests and fields to get near an area unseen and then nabbed the poachers. The -government could not do it, but we did, the two leaders declare. Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse knows that most poaching activity happens at night, so each night volunteers will work in small groups, equipped with tools and their knowledge of the local terrain to monitor for any illegal activity. The organisation notes that higher volumes of poaching occur in the months near Christmas, calling it “the season” for poachers to hunt fish such as salmon. When illegal activity is detected, the organisation has specific ways of addressing it using peaceful and just methods to resolve situations. A member of the initiative, when encountering a poacher, must identify themselves as a volunteer fish conservationist, notify a fish inspector and their field manager, and report the activity to the Environmental Board. We do not have the right to detain anyone, so we will involve the police if needed, but we are independent of government authorities, Mr -Kikkamägi emphasises.
The work includes educational outreach activities
When the team is not catching poachers in the act, they are participating in other projects. Mr Uustalu says that members of Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse will go into schools to talk to students. The organisation attempts to make the importance of conserving resources simple, using analogies and examples to explain the effects of poaching and illegal fishing activities. Reporting done by Vabatahtlik Kalakaitske to authorities plays a crucial role in triggering official action against illegal fishing. Once the Environmental Board receives information, tips, and evidence from the organisation, it can initiate action with investigations and the- -issuance of penalties which can reach up to EUR2,000 for illegal fishing.
Poachers target most species of fish not necessarily just those with the highest value such
as trout and salmon. Pictured, common bream
For over ten years, Vabatahtlik Kalakaitske has worked to ensure the safety of Estonian fish. Messrs Kikkamägi and Uustalu say that they can see that their efforts are helping, as the broad acceptance of poaching has decreased over time. Ten years ago on the same river, poachers were freely walking around and didn’t care about anything. They just took the fish they wanted, they recall. Now, you don’t see that anymore in Estonia. Nowhere. They are afraid of us. The initiative has also built credibility within the environmental sector, becoming a touchpoint for many concerned citizens who may not be members of Vabatahtlik Kalakaitske themselves. People don’t see us as an official organisation; they see us as neighbours who care, says Mr -Kikkamägi. This makes a huge difference in the -communication and the trust in the communities. The efforts of the organisation have been acknowledged well beyond the scope of the initiative itself, receiving accolades and thanks from various cities and organisations across Estonia.
A model for other grassroots organisations
As Vabatahtlik Kalakaitse continues to raise awareness, it is well positioned to expand its impact within the country. The combination of true grassroots mobility with a strong understanding of the necessity of ecological preservation is not only respectable but inspiring for all those interested in environmental sustainability. The organisation proves that meaningful change can start with just the care and hard work of individuals within local communities.
Lily Pampolina, Eurofish,
lily@eurofish.dk
