ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the ice fishing cultures of North Karelia, Finland. The chapter has been written from a twin position. In addition to traditions of the region, the contemporary ice and weather knowledge of nuotta fishermen of the region. The knowledge of the fishermen has been documented in a seven-year community-based oral history research project for scholarly purposes. The community work presented here mainly took place in the municipality of Keslahti, around the watershed of the Puruvesi where the professional fishermen practising winter seine fishing are located. The most significant threats to the biodiversity in North Karelia include the fragmentation of continuous, intact ecosystems due to industrial forestry practices. Keslahti is one of the last communal areas of nuotta-style fishing in Finland. There are many threats to this way of life, including the old age of the fishermen and loss of knowledge, but so far the unbroken link from ancient times continues with each winter harvest.
