FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Calanques Islands FLAG

Official name: 
GALPA “des îles aux Calanques”
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
FR221
Programming period: 
2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area stretches from the eastern part of Marseille to Port Grimaud in Saint Tropez. The area covers both densely populated urban centres as well as a number of exceptional natural spaces, including two National Parks, which may explain the area’s strong tourist attraction (second tourist region of France).  

Artisanal fishing within the FLAG area is characterized by its diversity. Most fishermen use different techniques according to the season, time or species targeted and a number of aquaculture companies (fish and shellfish farming) are also present in the area. It is mainly these fishing and aquaculture communities that the FLAG targets, as well as all groups related to these enterprises.

Given its geographical characteristics and attractiveness, the biggest challenge of the area is the strong competition for land and sea use. Other crucial challenges faced by the area and its fishing communities are the ageing of the fisheries work force and the lack of opportunities to add value to the local catch.

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

A large number of protected areas, including 11 Natura 2000 areas, 21 areas managed by the French “Coastal Conservatory”, two National Parks (National Park of Port Cros and National Park of Calanques) and the largest artificial reef in the Mediterranean (PRADO at Marseille).

Population
253 170
Surface area (km²)
610
Population density
415
Total employment in fisheries
544
Fishing: 
509
Aquaculture: 
35

FLAG strategy

The overall goal of the FLAG strategy is to support sustainable development measures for fishermen and fish farmers in order to improve their business and visibility in the area. The FLAG’s strategy focuses on three themes:

  • Supporting the competitiveness of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors
  • Improving the attractiveness of working in fisheries and aquaculture
  • Strengthening the role of fisheries and aquaculture in the region.

This will mainly be achieved by adding value to fisheries products and stimulating innovation at all stages of the supply chain, in particular by:

  • Helping to better organise local distribution channels and promoting direct sales;
  • Promoting consumption and consumer demand for local fisheries products;
  • Diversifying income sources for fishers and fish farmers via experience tourism;
  • Supporting generational renewal within fisheries and aquaculture by transferring existing businesses and setting up new ones;

Improving the link between the environment and fisheries and aquaculture activities.

Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
5
% of the budget allocated: 
17%
Supporting diversification
4
23%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
1
20%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
3
10%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
2
10%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
2 000 000
  • EMFF: 
    1 000 000
  • MS co-financing: 
    1 000 000
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    Regional

Project examples

  • Market studies on the expectations of the end consumer (customers or potential clients of short circuits) for unprocessed local fish;
  • Setting up a Producer Organisation to better market fishery and aquaculture products;
  • Projects to improve the quality, traceability, packaging and procesing of fishery or aquaculture products;
  • Incentives for the purchase and use of local species by households and restaurants;
  • Tasting sites and itinerant gastronomy projects;
  • Awareness-raising, promotion and organization of events linked to the heritage aspect of certain species and techniques of fishing or breeding;
  • Awareness-raising on responsible recreational fishing and communication.

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG is interested in cooperating around the following themes:

  • Sustainable fisheries management and the promotion of local seafood
  • Low impact tourism and diversification
  • Best practice exchange on innovations related to the processing and marketing of fishery products.
Budget envisaged for cooperation: 
144000.00

Partnership

Accountable body: 
CRPMEM (PACA)
Members of the partnership: 

The FLAG members include:

  • Fisheries and aquaculture representatives, including the regional and provincial fisheries and aquaculture committees, the 10 local fishing organisations (Prud’homies), the Tamaris aquaculture cooperative and the French federation of marine fishermen
  • Various public-sector bodies such as the provincial councils, the urban “communities” of Toulon, Aix-Marseille-Provence, Saint-Tropez and Méditerranée-Porte-des Maures and the Var Agricultural chamber of commerce.
  • The Port-Cros and Calanques national parks, and the Côte Bleue marine reserve
  • The Paul Ricard Oceanography Institute and the business and innovation “sea cluster”, Pôle Mer Méditerranée
  • Two marine careers centres: Provence Filière Mer and Association La Touline.
Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
19
% of fisheries actors: 
30%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
14
% of public actors: 
43%

Map

FLAG Contacts

CRPMEM (PACA)
 
26 Quai de Rive neuve
13007 Marseille
France
FLAG Manager:
Ms. Aurélie Aradan
Phone:
+33 4 91 56 78 33
FLAG President:
Mr. Christian Molinero
Phone:
+33 4 91 56 78 33
Publication date: 
08/09/2017
PDF Version