Joint Environmental Management of the River Tana

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Objectives of the project: The main objective of the project is to document, preserve and maintain the state of the environment and the diversity of nature at the Tana River. The project will promote a good ecological condition in the river and thus contribute to the objectives of the EU Water Directive. Environmental authorities, research institutes, municipalities and fisheries organisations in Finland and Norway must combine their environmental competence and use it in the management of the Tana River. The project has a clear cross-border added value. The long-term objective is to improve the river’s level of protection, which forms the basis for the social and economic development of the border area. The project’s milestones are: — to develop web-based tools for fisheries management by creating a common computer system on presence areas for migratory fish’s juveniles and the natural environment in and around the Tana river basin. — improving the habitat of fish by removing migratory barriers/road drums and assessing the impact of previous restoration activities through exchange of best practices. — to develop a joint monitoring programme on water quality and the ecological state of the Tana River and to publish the monitoring results including the results of monitoring the effects of wastewater treatment plants on the watercourse. — to raise awareness of the diversity of the Tana Valley and improve biodiversity governance tools to support local and regional planning and decision-making; A common knowledge platform is a prerequisite for future governance of biodiversity. Expected results The results of the project will be used to update national nature conservation programmes and municipalities can use the project’s results as a support when making decisions about business development. The Tana River is a vast river system on the border between Finland and Norway. The river is one of the most important breeding areas for salmon and sea trout in the Atlantic Ocean. Legislation, working methods and management of the Tana river and its natural environment differ from one country to another. Cross-border harmonised work is necessary to promote the sustainable development of the Tana river ecosystem.

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