In the summer of 2025, the Wilderness Museum Foundation of Finland received as a donation the nationally significant collection of the Finnish Fishing Museum Association. The collection has its origins in the 19th century and is closely connected to the emergence of central government administration in the fisheries sector. At the time, the museum functioned as a medium of its era: it not only presented fisheries but also actively developed them, while the preservation of fishing heritage and the collection and dissemination of new knowledge complemented one another.

Over more than a hundred years, the collection has gone through many colorful phases, and several efforts have been made to establish a professionally managed fishing museum. Through the Wilderness Museum project, it is now possible to advance long-standing plans and valuable work. The maintenance of the collection is essential in order to ensure its presentation and preservation for future generations.

The aim of the project activities is to support the promotion of sustainable use of fisheries and fishing waters through cultural heritage, and to strengthen the visibility of Finnish fishing culture as well as the accessibility of related collections. The activities focus on ensuring the mobility and preservation of fishing-related cultural heritage, enhancing digital accessibility, and developing nationwide collection practices. The work is carried out as a nationwide collaboration with actors in the fisheries sector, hobbyists, and experts in the field.