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The construction of hydropower plants in Finland’s Kemijoki and Iijoki rivers was a death blow to salmon migration in both stretches of water. Fishing migratory fish was an important source of livelihood to people living along and near the Kemijoki and Iijoki and one of the main reasons that once drew permanent settlement to the riversides. In this article we examine the meanings of migratory fish from the perspective of local people. We ask how local people have experienced the loss of salmon and how they have adapted to their new home environment that has radically changed due to alteration of the river. Besides the nutritional meaning, we have found many other aspects of migratory fish. Migratory fish and their annual rhythm belonged to the rivers’ landscapes; they had aesthetic importance as well as a strong social aspect. Losing salmon has been a catastrophe that local people still, after 60 years, find hard to accept.

Stream restoration often aims to enhance fisheries by improving stream conditions for target fish species. However, river restoration has a potential impact on a variety of ecosystem services. Among stakeholders, the emerging expectations about restoration attain different priorities. How well these expectations are met influences social perceptions of success or failure. Although public support for restoration is known to have a significant impact on the sustainability and overall success of restoration, social aspects are rarely considered in this context. To address these issues, we conducted a questionnaire study among the residents and fishermen of three recently restored rivers in Finland. Results indicate that both user groups highly supported the restoration goals, but they were not always satisfied with the restoration outcomes. The changes in landscape value and amenity and fish provisioning had the highest influence on the user groups' attitudes. Restoration-induced changes in ecosystem services showed clear variation between the different locations, but the differences in the perceptions of the two user groups were less evident. Comparing perceptions between the user groups and locations and applying the ecosystem services approach are a novel contribution to the debate on restoration success. Our study highlights the importance of perspective, social-ecological context, and adequate communication for success.