Act No. 85 of 2005 relating to legal relations and management of land and natural resources in the county of Finnmark (Finnmark Act) Country/Territory Norway Document type Legislation Date 2005 (2008) Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Environment gen., Fisheries, Forestry, Land & soil, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Ecosystem preservation Indigenous peoples Inland fisheries Forest management/forest conservation Timber extraction/logging Ownership Land tenure Traditional rights/customary rights Institution Court/tribunal Dispute settlement Expropriation Pastoralism Hunting/capture Geographical area Europe, Europe and Central Asia, North Atlantic, North Sea, North-East Atlantic, Northern Europe Abstract This Act provides for the management of land and natural resources in the county of Finnmark. This shall be done in a balanced and ecologically sustainable manner for the benefit of the residents of the county and particularly as so as to enhance Sami culture, reindeer husbandry, use of non-cultivated areas, commercial activity and social life. The Act shall apply to real property and watercourses with natural resources in the county of Finnmark. On the shoreline, the Act shall apply as far out to sea as private right of ownership extends. The Act principally defines and regulates land ownership in Finnmark and provides for the establishment of Finnmarkseiendommen (“the Finnmark Estate”), being an independent legal entity with its seat in Finnmark, which shall administer the land and natural resources, etc. that it owns in compliance with the purpose of this Act. The board of Finnmarkseiendommen shall be responsible for management of the Finnmark Estate. The Act sets out the principles of management of renewable resources, being mainly wildlife and fish resources. Residents of a municipality in the county of Finnmark have on Finnmarkseiendommen’s land in the municipality the right to fish and fell trees as specified in section 22. Persons residing in the county of Finnmark have the right to hunt big and small game, fish in watercourses with a rod and line, pick cloudberries and remove timber for home crafts (sect. 23). The Finnmark Commission is established under section 29. It shall investigate rights of use and ownership of land taken over by Finnmarkseiendommen. A special court (the Uncultivated Land Tribunal for Finnmark) shall be established, which shall consider disputes concerning rights subject to investigation by the Commission. Full text English/Norwegian Website www.ub.uio.no; www.lovdata.no References - Legislation Amends Act No. 47 of 1992 relative to Salmonids and fresh-water fish and related matters. Legislation | Norway | 1992 (2011) Keyword: Inland fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Institution, Stock enhancement/repopulation, Special fund, Fishing gear/fishing method, Seasons, Inspection, Data collection/reporting, Traditional rights/customary rights, Offences/penalties, Fishing authorization, Fishing charge, Authorization/permit Source: FAO, FAOLEX Wildlife Act (No. 38 of 1981). Legislation | Norway | 1981 Keyword: Hunting/capture, Hunting gear/hunting methods, Hunting authorization/permit, Inspection, Institution, Seasons, Offences/penalties, Protection of species Source: FAO, FAOLEX Amended by Act amending the Participation Act, the Marine Living Resources Act and the Finnmark Act (No. 66 of 2012). Legislation | Norway | 2012 Keyword: Community management, Marine fisheries, Marine fishes, Fishing gear/fishing method, Fishing area, Fishing authorization, Fishery management and conservation, Artisanal fishing, Indigenous peoples, Authorization/permit Source: FAO, FAOLEX Act amending Wildlife Act and Nature Conservation Act etc. (No. 9 of 2014). Legislation | Norway | 2014 Keyword: Animal welfare, Ranching/captive breeding, Animal production, Freshwater resources management, Water conservation zone, Potable water, Protected area, Protection of habitats, Authorization/permit, Management/conservation, Game, Hunting/capture, Hunting gear/hunting methods, Inland waters, Protection of species Source: FAO, FAOLEX