FIUME TANA; POLITICA E COOPERAZIONE PER LA TUTELA DELL'AMBIENTE E DEI DIRITTI UMANI

The Tana River is well known for its excellent salmon fishery and is the most productive salmon river in Finland and Norway. In recent years though, the quantity of Salmon and especially Atlantic Salmon which spawned in Tana after the government-imposed fishing regulation has been drastically reduced, with a large quantity of pink salmon increasing in large numbers. Scientists attribute it to the accumulated impacts of human existence and uncontrolled regulations imposed on fishing. There are several agreements in place, both for the protection of Tana River’s ecological system as well as the human rights of Sámi, indigenous people living in Tana Valley. Most notable is the Tana Agreement which aims at ensuring ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable fishing in the Tana River and safeguarding the fish stocks of the river, as well as fishing interests, especially for fishing based on local and indigenous cultural traditions. This agreement has caused an outcry from the public, especially the Sámi people, who feel that their knowledge, experience as well as human rights were not respected and that if restrictions are required for ecological reasons, measures should primarily reduce fishing tourism while safeguarding the Sámi rights. Through research and creative work, I propose two solutions: 1) one being a Cooperative Inter-state agreement which would be made in collaboration between Finland, Norway, and representatives of Sámi and which would take into consideration both nature and human rights. 2) an environmental education Program for children of the region through interactive games and a Tana River-themed lectures.