FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network
FLAG Factsheet
The valley of the Barycz river is situated in south-western Poland at the border of Lower Silesia and Wielkopolska. It has an 800 year-long tradition in carp production in ponds. There is a very big fish farm owned by the Lower Silesia region (7000 ha) as well as many family-owned fish farms. 90% of their production is carp. The greatest challenge is combining fish farming with nature conservation.
The natural ponds, with over 270 species of birds, are part of the picturesque landscape which attracts many tourists for horse-riding, canoeing and cycling.
Another challenge, which the LAG/FLAG has been addressing for the last 10 years, is promoting the local fish and extending the season when it is consumed, through intensive promotion activities, cooperation with fish bars and restaurants, as well as numerous culinary, cultural and educational activities involving around 100 000 people each year.
Most of the FLAG is covered by two Special Areas of Conservation under Natura 2000 and also by the Barycz Valley Landscape Park, the largest landscape park in Poland (87 000 ha). The Barycz Valley fish ponds (7000 ha) are listed in the World Network of Living Lakes. The Milicz Ponds Reserve is included in the Ramsar Convention on wetlands.
The FLAG strategy continues its activities started in the previous period, aiming to ensure sustainable development based on tourism and local products (in particular, local fish). Support will be provided to fish farms to help them carry out their activities in protected areas and to prevent poaching. Direct sales and short supply chains as well as cooperation with the gastronomy sector will be supported, as well as promotion of the area, tourism, and recreational activities.
National
The calls for business projects in the fisheries sector are planned for the first half of 2017 and 2018; call for projects enhancing tourism attractiveness – first half of 2017; cooperation projects – after 2018. All calls will be available on the FLAG website: www.nasza.barycz.pl
The FLAG is also a LAG. It is a member of the Lower Silesian LAG network and cooperates with a group of FLAGs from southern Poland.
The public sector is represented by municipalities and county administration. The social sector includes numerous NGOs (such as local associations) and individuals. The business sector includes SMEs, individual entrepreneurs and fish farmers, as well as businesses providing services for the fish farms.
