Sweden

Halland is a coastal area characterised by many sandy beaches, rockfaces, lakes and rivers. In the northern part of the FLAG area is the archipelago, which is largely protected by nature reserves.

Lake Vänern is the largest lake in Sweden. Challenges for the region include an ageing population, particularly in fisheries communities.

The FLAG area is situated in the southeast of Sweden and features numerous lakes, streams, coasts and seas, forming a unique development area. Challenges for the area include the low added value of local fisheries products.

Fishing on the Swedish side of the Öresund strait consists almost exclusively of local small-scale coastal fisheries providing unique opportunities for local fisheries development. The revenue from the Öresund area is among the highest in Sweden and the fish stocks amongst the strongest.

The Bohuslän region is strongly linked to the oceans and fisheries which have for more than 500 years been a source of sustenance and livelihood for local inhabitants. At the same time, seasonal dwellers, tourists and other visitors enjoy the fantastic landscape where fishing and environmental concerns are paramount.

The area stretches over a cluster of some 30,000 sparsely populated islands and a small portion of the mainland’s countryside. It forms part of the commuter belt of Sweden’s capital city with the resulting high property prices, frequent ferry crossings and other commuter traffic that this can bring.

Gotland is a vibrant rural region with belief in the future and a strong brand recognised nationally as well as internationally for high quality and untouched nature. However, its natural and cultural resources can be used in a better way to further strengthen economic growth. Gotland is also Sweden's largest producer of crayfish.

The FLAG area consists of woodland and a large number of lakes and rivers as well as some off-shore islands. This is a coastal region that includes eight municipalities in total. Bräcke, Ånge, Timrå and Sollefteå are inland municipalities with lakes and rivers connected to the coastal waters. Sundsvall, Kramfors, Härnösand, and Örnsköldsvik municipalities have inland lakes and rivers as well as coastal maritime environments.

The FLAG area includes mountains, farmland, forest landscapes and an extensive archipelago. The Torne River, which runs through the FLAG’s territory, is Europe's largest unspoiled continuous waterway and is the main spawning site for wild salmon in the Bothnian Sea.

The FLAG area includes the coast, rivers, and lakes along the Gulf of Bothnia, roughly 200km north of Stockholm. The landscape is dominated by pine woodlands and many inhabitants live in smaller towns and in rural areas.