The changing Lake Peipsi Border and its influences on local fishermen
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2007-09
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en
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Abstract
Lake Peipsi is located on both sides of the state border between Estonia and Russia. The part
of the border that is important in this work, the lake Peipsi Border, runs through the huge lake
and is very unique. After having been a meaningless border between two Soviet states for
more than 50 years, in a short time the border situation changed tremendously. Since 1991 the
lake Peipsi Border forms the border between Russia, on the eastern side of the border, and
Estonian on the west. In 2004 the lake Peipsi Border became the border between Russia and
EU territories.
In this work we look at the changes in the border situation, but especially the influences the
border changes had on local Estonian fishermen. To give a concrete view on the changing life
of these fishermen through the last years, two different cases and categories of fishermen were
chosen. First, the situation on the small island in lake Peipsi, ‘Piirissaare,’ where, as I call
them, ‘individual fishermen’ work and live, is viewed. Secondly, fishermen who work for
‘companies’ are the point of interest. These fishermen live and work near the town of Kallaste
along the lake Peipsi shore. For individual fishermen political changes and changes in the fish
volume et cetera were even harder to bear than for those working for companies. In recent
years, some fishermen have decided to quit their business. Currently a special program is
being organized for those fishermen who want to quit their work, since having fewer
fishermen in this area of Estonia aids the environment. They can get financial support from
the government and so they are able to start afresh in a new profession. It is likely that more
fishermen will make a move although fishing is still the most important source of income and
a tradition in the lake Peipsi area.
I placed the lake Peipsi Border in a model to show its changing status in the last few years.
This model shows how open or closed and how visible or invisible the border has been
through time. Also the future is viewed.
The relations between Estonians and Russians in Estonia as well as contacts between Estonia
and Russia on state level have an influence on the Estonian-Russian border situation, and
therefore on the lake Peipsi Border. Sentiments from the past, which have their origin in the
common USSR, are making the relationship hard in international meetings. The recent fights
between ethnic Russians and Estonians, after the replacement of the statue of a Soviet soldier
in Tallinn, demonstrated that many problems are still embedded in the Estonian society. But it
seems that now, the relations are getting better. It seems that both groups realize that
economic prosperity and a stable political atmosphere can only be reached when they
cooperate. Statesmen can influence the relations and politicians have huge impact too, so they
should think long and hard before they make any statements.
The Estonian-Russian border is not ratified yet and it seems that this will take longer but for
the people near the border this unofficial status of the border does not make much difference.
The location of the border, which is most of the time invisible as a result of the lack of
symbols on the water, is clear to those who come close to it; fishermen and border guards.
Cross-border cooperation is not very popular in the Estonian Russian border area but, as a
research-group of the Tartu University found out, more local initiatives can be possible.
Programs as Interegg and ENP as well as support by the CTC can help to increase small local
initiatives that can contribute to a better understanding between both sides of the border and
more economic prosperity in the periphery of both countries.
The expansion of the EU and NATO in this part of Europe is at the end. It seems that this
border will form the external border between the EU and Russia for rather a long time since
membership of Russia to the EU is unrealistic. It is unlikely in the light of today’s politics that
Russia would join NATO. The changes in the region are insecure but Russia, as an important
gas and fuel supplier, will also have a huge impact on the region in the near future. Good
contact between Estonia and Russia and the EU are important for all parties on a local or
larger scale.
As an example of an area where much is going on, the lake Peipsi region has never been
totally investigated. Also in the near future this work can contribute to getting a better
understanding of the impact political changes can have on those who are involved; the local
people/ fishermen. However, more specific research is probably needed.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen