Annex
will have an important advisory role in the management of the fish resources in the northern
fjords. The board will consist of three members from the Sami Parliament and three members from each of the three northern counties. The Government indicates that in December
2013 the Sami Parliament and the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs agreed on a
mandate for the local fjord fishing advisory board, and the board was formally constituted
in March 2014. The mandate states that the board shall strengthen the management of the
fjord fisheries, having particular attention to Sami usage and the importance of this usage
for local Sami communities. Moreover, the Committee notes that the Sami Parliament is
represented in the delegation that is negotiating with Finland on a new agreement on fishing
for salmon in the Tana river. The primary aim of the negotiations is to reduce fishing to a sustainable level. It is intended that the new fishing regulations will be in place with effect from
the 2015 fishing season. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on
the measures taken to ensure that the fishing rights of the Sami are specifically safeguarded
(Article 15(1)). It also invites the Government to provide information on the measures taken,
with the participation of the Sami and whenever appropriate, to ensure that traditional fishing activities are strengthened and promoted (Article 23).
Article 28(3). Sami languages and education. The Government indicates that in 2009 it
presented an Action Plan for Sami Languages, developed in consultation with the Sami
Parliament. The principle focus of the plan is to create the right conditions to increase
the number of people actively using the Sami languages. In its communication, the Sami
Parliament indicated that the Action Plan contains a number of good initiatives and has
been a useful tool in the work to strengthen and develop Sami languages. However, the
Sami Parliament recognizes a need for a more comprehensive language policy that covers
society as a whole. The Committee notes that in September 2014 the Government appointed
a committee to investigate schemes, rules and measures relating to the Sami languages.
Consultations between the Government and the Sami Parliament resulted in an agreement on
the terms of reference for the committee. The Committee invites the Government to continue
to provide updated information on the measures taken to preserve and promote the development and practice of the Sami languages.
Article 32. Contacts and cooperation across borders. The Government indicates that the
Nordic countries together with the three Nordic Sami Parliaments have started negotiations
on the Nordic Sami Convention. The Norwegian delegation was appointed in March 2011 and
the aim is to conclude the negotiations in 2016. The Norwegian Sami Parliament indicates
that Norway’s restrictive approach to the negotiations in terms of both form and content
impedes the progress of the negotiations. In its reply, the Government indicates that, following the parliamentary elections in 2013, consultations were held with the Sami Parliament
on a new mandate and an agreement on the mandate was achieved in May 2014. The
Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the measures taken
to facilitate contacts and cooperation between the Sami across borders, including activities
in the economic, social, cultural and environmental fields. In this regard, please provide
updated information on the progress of the negotiations on the Nordic Sami Convention.
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