FLAG Factsheets

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- Previously operating as two separate FLAGs, Highland and Moray have formed a regional partnership to deliver the 2014-2020 programme. The Highland & Moray FLAG is the largest UK FLAG in operation covering 4,985km of coastline around some of the most sparsely populated and remote land in Europe.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- Orkney is made up of 70 islands, 18 of which are inhabited. Orkney is both a rural and island community, and economy, in an extremely peripheral location off the North coast of Scotland, which gives rise to a unique mix of opportunities and challenges. The whole of the Orkney Islands’ are included in the FLAG area.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- Shetland is an island archipelago located 340 km north of Aberdeen and 362 km west of Bergen, Norway. It consists of over 100 islands and islets of which 16 are inhabited.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- The Outer Hebrides is a chain of more than 100 islands and skerries located about 70 kilometres north west of mainland Scotland, of which 15 are inhabited. The Outer Hebrides Fisheries Area is defined using the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Local Authority area which is has the same boundaries as many other organisations including the Outer Hebrides Inshore Fisheries Group.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- The main population centres are primarily located towards the coastal fringes in the larger towns of Ayr, Troon and Girvan, with fishing an important industry in these towns. There are many coastal communities in North Ayrshire, some of which are viewed as relatively affluent areas and locations for retirement. The economy is largely based on tourism, including sailing.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- The FLAG area is distinguished by its intrinsic remoteness and natural beauty, illustrated by the high number of wildlife and landscape designations along the coast. The FLAG covers approximately 290 miles (467km) of coastline from Cairnryan in the East to Gretna in the West and includes the port at Kirkcudbright is which is in the top 20 UK ports by catch value.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- The area comprises 14 settlements with fishing activity from North Shields in the south to Berwick-upon-Tweed in the north, covering a distance of approximately 105 km, with a coastal population of 72,728, and with over 150 people directly in the fishing industry.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- The Holderness Coast fisheries is a small scale coastal fisheries area specialising in crab and lobster. It is a vibrant industry which continues to grow and develop in the context of a struggling coastal economy traditionally dependant on seaside tourism.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- The FLAG area covers the North Thames from Thurrock to Shoeburyness in Essex and is based around the port at Leigh-on-Sea. The port is the first when travelling up the Thames from London and has significant cultural importance in the area, attracting tourists from all over South East England. The major fisheries industry in Leigh-on-Sea is the cockle fishery which dominates much of the port. However, there are also several trawlers targeting mixed fisheries in the Greater Thames and Southern North Sea areas

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- Hastings fishing fleet is a small-scale beach launched fleet predominantly made up of boats under ten metres in length. The fishing techniques are generally selective.