Bothnian Sea and Lake Pyhäjärvi FLAG

Official name:

Selkämeren ja Pyhäjärven kalatalouden toimintaryhmä

Country:

Finland

Region:

Southwest Finland
Satakunta

Code:

FI203

Programming period:

2007-2013

2014-2020

Area

The Bothnian Sea coastline and Lake Pyhäjärvi have a lengthy tradition in the fisheries sector where the main catches include vendace and signal crayfish. About half of Finland´s Baltic herring catch is landed on the harbours along this particular part of the coast. Whitefish, salmon and other fresh water species are similarly important to the area. The processing industry is also highly active here. An additional positive development in recent years has been the growth in pesca-tourism.

The main challenges lie in adding value to local catches, especially herring, and in maintaining the necessary infrastructure for the fisheries activity to continue. Another challenge is the notably low number of young fishermen.

Type of area:

Coastal
Inland

Sea Basins:

Baltic Sea

Protected areas:

15 km2 (land), 912 km2 (water)

Population

181 000

Surface area (km²)

4 671

Population density

Total employment in fisheries

245

Fishing:

Aquaculture:

Processing:

120

Women employment in fisheries:

FLAG strategy

The top five challenges addressed in the FLAG strategy are:

Improving the exploitation of local fish and adding value to primary production;
Improving the image of local fish and fisheries;
Improving infrastructure and the means of production;
Fostering networking and the exchange of know-how; and
Developing tourism around fish and fisheries.

Themes:

Objective:

Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain

Priority:

% of the budget allocated:

40%

Supporting diversification

10%

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

10%

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

10%

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

30%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020:

1 517 440

EMFF:

470 000
MS co-financing:

1 047 440
Sources of co-funding:

National (€530 000) and local (municipalities: €517 440)
Multi-funding:

The FLAG aims to complement its EMFF budget with other sources of funding but this is not included in the budget of the strategy.

Project examples

Project examples and ideas:

Intelligent trap-net: the trap signals, for example, when it is time to be emptied
Seal safe fishing strategies and traps
Combining small-scale fish-farming and fishing for better income

Good Practice

Seals and Cormorants in the Baltic: Addressing a common environmental challenge

Calls for proposals

Projects can be presented and selected on an ongoing basis.

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG is interested in sharing experience in pesca-tourism, herring processing, coastal fishing techniques and inland fishing including crayfish. In the area, there is strong know-how in freshwater fisheries, aquaculture (including closed systems), small-scale coastal fishing, bio manipulation and food-chain management.

There is no specific budget ear-marked for cooperation, but funding is possible as part of the project activities.

Type of cooperation projects foreseen: developing a Baltic FLAG network and pesca-tourism with transnational partners.

Cooperation ideas

Seeking information about lampara nets and purse seines

Finnish FLAG open to cooperation for inland fisheries projects

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

The FLAG territory overlaps with five LAG areas.

It shares its legal structure and one board member with Ravakka LEADER LAG, and both entities coordinate the cooperation among each other's partners.

Partnership

Accountable body:

Ravakka LEADER LAG

Members of the partnership:

The Karhuseutu, Pyhäjärviseutu, Pohois-Satakunta, and Jokivarsikumppanit LEADER LAGs.
Eleven Municipalities: Uusikaupunki, Pyhäranta, Rauma, Luvia, Pori, Merikarvia, Säkylä, Eura, Eurajoki, Köyliö, Pöytyä.
Three Fishermen´s organizations (NGO): L-S Kalatalouskeskus, Selkämeren ammattikalastajat, Satakunnan kalatalouskeskus.
Other: Pyhäjärvi-instituutti (research institute) and the Bothnian Sea National Park.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

350

% of fisheries actors:

60%

% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors:

10%

% of environmental actors:

10%

Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board:

% of public actors:

20%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

1,00

Visuals

/fpfis/cms/farnet2/library/photos/fi203-jarno-aaltonen-2png_ltfi203-jarno-aaltonen-2.png

FI203 - Jarno Aaltonen

/fpfis/cms/farnet2/library/photos/fi203-pyhajarvi-lehtinen-4png_ltfi203-pyhajarvi-lehtinen-4.png

FI203 - Pyhäjärvi Lehtinen

/fpfis/cms/farnet2/library/photos/fi203-kalastaja-timo-kuuskeri-skaddipng_ltfi203-kalastaja-timo-kuuskeri-skaddi.png

FI203 - Kalastaja Timo Kuuskeri Skaddi

English