Brest FLAG

Official name:

Pays de Brest

Country:

France

Region:

Brittany

Code:

FR209

Programming period:

2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area is located on the western tip of the Brittany peninsula, covering a range of urban, rural and coastal environments. Its important urban centre, the Brest Metropolis, nested within a natural landlocked bay (the Brest roadstead) is home to the second biggest military port in France. However, with over 600 km of coastline, the area is overwhelmingly defined by its maritime identity, counting 30 500 jobs directly linked to maritime transport, energy, the shipping industry, aquaculture and fisheries.

Fisheries activities include small-scale inshore fisheries, shellfish harvesting and production, with the presence of high value species such as European (flat) and Pacific oysters, mussels, cockles, grooved carpet shell and abalone. Its seaweed production on the Molène archipelago is the largest seaweed extraction field in Europe.

The main challenge for the territory area is employment in the maritime economy, which suffers from a lack of visibility and attractiveness, despite holding many opportunities for development (seafood processing, sales and support activities…). There is also a need to better connect job demand and supply, through the development of an integrated approach to promoting innovative and sustainable maritime activities.

Type of area:

Coastal
Inland
Island
Rural
Urban

Sea Basins:

Atlantic
Rivers and Lakes

Protected areas:

11 Natura 2000 sites (Abers-Côtes des légendes, Ouessant-Molène, Presqu’île de Crozon, Guissény, Pointe de Corsen-Le Conquet, Rade de Brest-estuaire de l’Aulne, Côtes de Crozon, Rivière Elorn, Baie de Keremma, Lann Gazel, Forêt du Cranou-Menez Meur)
Natural Reserve of Iroise
Sites of Geological Interest of the Presqu’île de Crozon

Population

390 977

Surface area (km²)

1 678

Population density

223

Total employment in fisheries

739

Fishing:

293

Aquaculture:

446

FLAG strategy

The FLAG strategy focuses on six defined actions:

Fostering the compatibility and ensuring spatial integration of the multiple uses of the coastal area
Building collective knowledge for the development of sustainable practices
Promoting opportunities within the fisheries and aquaculture sector and improving employability of young professionals
Developing a coherent touristic offer centred on local maritime activities, products and infrastructure (linked with the touristic label “Brest Terres Océanes”)
Developing and promoting local consumption, purchase and supply of seafood products from fisheries and aquaculture activities
Supporting fisheries and aquaculture activities in the diversification of their production and improving collaborative processes

Themes:

Objective:

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

Priority:

Supporting diversification

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

Funding

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

2 059 264

EMFF:

1 029 632
MS co-financing:

1 029 632
Sources of co-funding:

State, Regional Council, County Council, Inter-municipal bodies and municipalities
Multi-funding:

State, Regional Council, County Council, Inter-municipal bodies and municipalities.

Project examples

R&D and experimental tools to understand the development of toxic algae blooms and limit the impact on fisheries and aquaculture
Collective management tools to help the conservation and rebuilding of stocks of local and valuable species (Clams, crayfish, European oysters…)
One-stop-shop to support business creation and transfer for fisheries and aquaculture professionals
Tools to improve the touristic potential of harbours, production and landing sites: discovery paths, signposting of fishing techniques and species…
Processing and storage workshop for local seafood products allowing better supply in short circuits for collective and individual catering
Participative events to build closer links between researchers, professionals and the public (e.g. « Sea Tech Week » etc.) and to identify intellectual property rights in the context of collaborative projects

Good Practice

Promoting line-caught fish with local stakeholders

MonPêcheur: Connecting fishers and consumers at the quay!

Fil & Fab: From harbour collection to recycling of old fishing nets

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG is interested in:
- Maritime tourism linked to fisheries
- Local consumption and supply of seafood products
- Cooperation between fisheries and aquaculture professionals and diversification of activities

Specific cooperation projects envisaged:
- Monitoring the restocking of juvenile oysters in the Brest roadstead and the Quiberon bay, in cooperation with the Auray-Vannes FLAG (CRC Bretagne Sud)
- Tourism and short circuits, in cooperation with CIM Alto Minho FLAG

The Pays de Brest wants to build up on the cooperation initiatives already ongoing on the territory, i.e.:

European research project SUCCESS, led by the University of Bretagne Occidentale, aiming at identifying the opportunities for growth, employment and innovation in European fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Channel Marine Academy Project (Interreg IVA: France (Channel)-England) on raising awareness amongst youth about employment opportunities in fisheries careers. Led by: Cornwall Marine Network; partners in Brittany: Nautisme en Finistère, Maison de l’Emploi et Mission locale du Pays de Brest

Budget envisaged for cooperation:

140000.00

Cooperation ideas

Farming and harvesting seaweed on the shore, on land and at sea

Recovery of the red lobster stock - fishing techniques and management

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

The Pays de Brest is also implementing a LEADER strategy, focused on rural economic development.

Exchanges and synergies between EMFF CLLD and actions eligible under LEADER could be developed (match making between project holders, dissemination, exchange of good practices…) on topics such as circular economy, short chains and tourism.

A “multi-fund CLLD methodology” will be fostered in order to ensure a common approach to supporting project holders; this will consist of the recruitment of an EU Programme Manager who will help in the animation of CLLD strategies and the design of common communication tools (e.g. multi-fund guidance document for project holders…).

Partnership

Accountable body:

Pôle métropolitain du Pays de Brest

Members of the partnership:

Public sector:

5 inter-municipal bodies (Communautés de communes) : Pays d’Iroise, Lesneven-Côte des Légendes, Abers, Landerneau-Daoulas and Presqu’île de Crozon
Brest Métropole
Armorique Regional Natural Park
Iroise Natural Marine Park

Private stakeholders:

Regional Shell-fishing Committee of North Brittany
The Finistère fishing committee (CDPMEM)
Private mussel and shellfish producer and fisherman/boat-owner
The union of seaweed harvesters of the Rive de Bretagne
A seaweed and marine plants trade union
The Tinduff hatchery
The technology agency, Technopôle Brest Iroise
The University of Bretagne Occidentale
La Touline (training and support centre for maritime careers)

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

% of fisheries actors:

26%

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

22%

% of environmental actors:

10%

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

% of public actors:

42%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

1,00

Visuals

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Oyster parks Legris in Lilia Plouguerneau (S. Chajari/Pays de Brest)

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Philippe Perrot catching scallops in the Rade de Brest (S. Chajari/Pays de Brest)

English