Management of the Tana River Basin – Norway and Finland
Salmon fishing in Tana is regulated through bilateral agreements between Norway and Finland, which also include fishing rules.
A joint Norwegian-Finnish management group
The Tana River is a border watercourse between Norway and Finland. The river flows through Kautokeino, Karasjok on the Norwegian side, Utsjok on the Finnish side, passes Tanabru and finally flows into the Tanafjord.
Salmon fishing in Tana is regulated through the Tana Act , the Tana Regulations and bilateral agreements between Norway and Finland. A joint Norwegian-Finnish management group, composed of environmental authorities and local representatives from both countries, has the overall responsibility for coordinating fishing rules, gear use, fishing times and monitoring.
The Ministry of Climate and Environment (KLD) together with the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has the overall responsibility for the management of the fish resources in the Tana River basin. The State Administrator (formerly the County Governor), the police and the Norwegian Nature Conservation Authority (SNO) are responsible for supervision, control and advice.
On the border river stretch, TF, together with SNO, is responsible for supervision of the Norwegian part of the river.
Local government agency
The Tana River Basin Fisheries Management Authority (TF) was established in 2011 through the Tana Regulations . The TF consists of representatives elected by licensees and the municipalities of Tana and Karasjok (for angling).
TF is responsible for the local, private law administration, including:
Sales and pricing of fishing licenses
Supervision and control
Catch reporting and monitoring
Division into fishing zones
Fishing charter rental
Dispute resolution
Participation in Norwegian-Finnish negotiations
TF can introduce fishing restrictions when necessary, to ensure sustainable management within the framework set by the state.