FLAG Factsheet
The Barlavento do Algarve FLAG area is in the southwest of Portugal and has strong links to the sea in terms of both fishing and tourism. It has four major ports (Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos and Sagres) which share the regions fishing and tourism activities. The port of Portimão has the capacity to receive cruise ships, an import factor to the areas tourism industry. Along the coast, there are still many small-scale coastal fishing communities which are actively involved in tourism. There are several aquaculture farms across in the region, which focus on the production of oysters, mussels, sea bream and bass. The farms are located both onshore (oysters, sea bream and bass) and offshore (oysters and mussels).
The main challenges for the FLAG include the sustainable re-establishment of small-scale fisheries in the area which suffered from the impacts of sectoral restructuring at national and community level over the past two decades. Additionally, a key challenge is successfully seeking and developing alternatives to the traditional tourism model; one which is more sustainable in the exploitation and recovery of coastal and estuarine resources and fisheries. Another challenge is to stimulate economic opportunities in new areas such as the green economy, sustainability, environmental protection and combination fisheries and maricultural activities.
The FLAG area has three protected areas. They are Costa Vicentina (a national protected area), Ria de Alvor (a Natura 2000 area) and the Vila do Bispo Forest.
The FLAG strategy includes the following main objectives:
National
ERDF and ESF (€300 000 ERDF and €300 000 ESF)
Future project ideas will be focused on the FLAGs strategic objectives and will include:
Calls for projects are made regularly and are published on the FLAG website:
The FLAG has experience in managing local development programs, including initiatives that promote partnerships between public and private entities. The FLAG has participated in cooperation projects in the following areas:
The types of future cooperation projects for the FLAG include inter-territorial projects with neighbouring FLAGs and further afield. The FLAG would also like to cooperate on transnational projects in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
The area of intervention of the Barlavento do Algarve FLAG and the intervention area of ADERE LAG are intercepted in some areas. The lead partner entity of the Barlavento do Algarve FLAG integrates the ADERE LAG and the ADERE LAG lead partner organisation integrates the Barlavento do Algarve FLAG. The lead partner organisation of ADERE LAG is VICENTINA – Associação para o Desenvolvimento do Sudoeste.