Agreement between Finland and Norway relative to fishing in the Tana river fishing area.

This Agreement replaces a similar agreement of 1989 between Finland and Norway. The Agreement aims at ensuring ecologically, economically and socially sustainable fishing in the Tana River and safeguarding the fish stocks of the river. Measures proposed under this Agreement shall take into account all concerned fishing interests, and especially for fishing based on local cultural traditions. A joint management plan will be the basis for regulation in the fishery for salmon. The Plan shall be based on the best available knowledge about the size of fish stocks, composition and expected development, as well on the application of the precautionary principle. The Parties undertake to introduce national rules and regulations for the salmon stretches of the Tana watercourse sidewaters and in the lower Norwegian part, to ensure conservation and sustainable exploitation of fish stocks. Fish regulations on it Norwegian stretch between Tana watercourse mouth and boundary cannot be less restrictive than current regulations on the border line. There shall be common rules for fishing on the stretch of the river which forms the boundary between the two countries. The fishing rules are attached the Agreement as Appendix 2, which shall be an integrated part of the Agreement. The agreement also make provision for derogation for certain fishing rules of the Agreement for purposes of fish stock conservation. The Agreement also makes provisions with fishing licences, zones, monitoring and control, collection of data, protection from fish diseases and introduction of alien species, and restrictions on aquaculture.
The rules sets out in Appendix concern, among other things, fishing authorization, seasons, fishing gear, size, biological impact, and use of boats.