FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Camargue FLAG

Official name: 
GALPA Pays Vidourle Camargue
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
FR220
Programming period: 
2014-2020

Area

The FLAG covers a large rural area characterized by the garrigue, a scrubland eco-region characteristic of the Mediterranean, and a coastal strip of 20 km known as the Camargue, shaped by the Rhone river delta.

Fisheries are concentrated in Le Grau du Roi harbour, the main trawler fishing port in the Mediterranean with 2 900 tonnes of fish sold each year and 60% of its production exported. The area is also a touristic hotspot and its population can be multiplied by ten during peak summer season.

One of the main challenges of the area and its fisheries community is the loss of the Grau du Roi’s fishing competitiveness and identity. Support is needed for the fishing community – both to promote the sector and its products, safeguard fisheries resources and diversify the sector’s economic activities. Ensuring employment in fisheries is competitive with other sectors and attractive to the younger generations is also a key challenge. In addition, the creation of stronger and mutually beneficial links between the fisheries and tourism sectors is considered important in order to address the growing competition with the tourism sector.

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

One Natura 2000 site and four protected wetland areas (ponds, swamps and sand dunes).

Population
140 000
Surface area (km²)
816
Population density
172
Total employment in fisheries
375
Fishing: 
360
Aquaculture: 
5
Processing: 
10
Women employment in fisheries: 
30

FLAG strategy

The FLAG’s main aims are as follows:

  • To support sea product marketing operations (e.g. working on product quality and labelling, direct sales…)
  • To help diversify fishermen’ activities and enhance the image of fisheries businesses (e.g. through awareness-raising events, professional training…)
  • To foster the participation of the fisheries sector in local resource management and improve conservation (innovative fishing methods and equipment, studies, communication…).
Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
5
% of the budget allocated: 
30%
Supporting diversification
5
30%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
4
20%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
3
10%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
3
10%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
1 130 000
  • EMFF: 
    565 000
  • MS co-financing: 
    565 000
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    National, regional and provincial

  • Multi-funding: 

    LEADER LAG: €2.4 million for entrepreneurship, tourism, employability, living environment and heritage.

    ERDF: €1.1 million for biodiversity and energy efficiency

  • Funds: 
    EAFRD
    ERDF

Project examples

  • Developing an action plan to fight pollution from harbour activities
  • On-board equipment and professional training for pesca-tourism
  • Collective quayside sales project
  • Innovative sorting method and equipment for new snail fishing practices
  • Land and sea product association events
  • Eco-tourism strategy by a network of fisheries and tourism players

Calls for proposals

Potential beneficiaries can submit projects at any time of the year. The FLAG has defined two deadlines a year (June and November), each with a specific strategic focus.

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG is interested in cooperation around setting up fish markets and seaside and fisheries tourism as well as mitigation/prevention actions against harbour pollution.

Budget envisaged for cooperation: 
60000.00

Partnership

Accountable body: 
Pays Vidourle Camargue
Members of the partnership: 
  • The Vidourle Camargue Pays (joint association)
  • The Vidourle Camargue LEADER LAG
  • Various fishermen’s organisations: La Graulenne, SO.CO.MAP Cooperative, the Producers Organisation du Sud, the local Prud’homie, the regional and provincial fishing and aquaculture Committees, CEPRALMAR
  • Professional fishermen
  • Le Grau du Roi municipality
  • 5 local authorities: Communautés de Communes Terre de Camargue, CC Petite Camargue, CC Pays de Sommières, CC Rhony Vistre Vidourle, CC Pays de Lunel
  • The Gard and Hérault provinces
  • Occitanie Region
  • Two environmental associations: the Syndicat mixte de la Camargue Gardoise and the SIVOM Baie d’Aigues Mortes
  • Regional Natural Park of the Camargue
  • Conservatoire du Littoral (the body responsible for conservation of the French coastline)
  • EGIS Eau (environmental and ecology engineering firm)
  • La Marée (Seafood marketing enterprise)
  • Siloe association (civil society)
  • Régie de Port Camargue (sailing sector)
  • The tourist board (Agence départementale du Tourisme)
  • Délégation à la Mer et au Littoral (Sea and coastline public service)
Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
17
% of fisheries actors: 
27%
% of public authorities and other: 
58%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
4%
% of environmental actors: 
11%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
17
% of public actors: 
42%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
1,00

Visuals

Map

FLAG Contacts

Pays Vidourle Camargue
 
421 avenue Maurice Privat
30600 Vauvert
France
FLAG President:
Mr. Maxime Charlier
Phone:
+33 4 34 14 80 02
Languages:
  • French (Intermediate)
  • English (Intermediate)
  • Portuguese (Basic)
Publication date: 
08/09/2017
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