FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network
FLAG Factsheet
--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020--
The FLAG area is situated around the Cardigan Bay which leads out into the Irish Sea. It provides rich fishing grounds for the small commercial fishing fleets which operate from some of the small villages and towns within the area. Aberystwyth harbour, the main harbour within the county, has a rich history of shipping and fishing culminating in the diverse range of activities that take place there today, including the marina which is used for leisure and recreation, moorings for commercial vessels, lifeboat station and facilities for light processing of catch from fishermen.
The fishing heritage of the Ceredigion (Cardiganshire) county includes the fisheries of the Teifi and other rivers within the county such as the Rheidol and the Ystwyth. Coracle fishing and angling on these rivers play a key role in the marketing of Ceredigion’s tourism offer. This along with inland sport and recreational fishing have an important role to play in defining the fishing industry Ceredigion has to offer both in terms of tourism and its wider contribution to the economy of the county.
The economy of the county is heavily dependent on the public sector and has traditionally had some of the lowest rates of pay in Wales. Consequently, it has qualified for the highest levels of European development funding for the last three decades. As such, the development of fisheries jobs is a key challenge to the area.
The FLAG area includes the Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau Special Conservation Area (SAC).
The FLAG strategy has been developed so that the prioritised objectives have synergies with each other but at the same time provide focused deliverables. There are obvious potential projects where innovation within the supply chain can be easily integrated into the FLAG to address issues such as the disposal of whelk shells onto the beach at New Quay. This, alongside the general issue or the re-use of shellfish waste products in the form of shell waste from an emerging processing sector, are prime opportunities where innovation can provide solutions within the FLAG area.
One area that could undergo feasibility testing is the infrastructure that exists within the fishing industry at present. The FLAG needs to exploit the academic partnerships between institutions in Wales such as Bangor and Aberystwyth and private research providers for the good of the sector, particularly in the support of the evidence base building for both river and marine fisheries and thus the creation of jobs.
FLAG project examples and ideas include:
The FLAG has no specific deadlines and project applications can be made on an ad-hoc basis. More information can be found on the FLAG’s website:
The Cardigan Bay FLAG has experience in organising events. The FLAG is interested in cooperation projects with the Cynnal y Cardi LEADER LAG and potentially other CLLD groups in neighbouring areas.
The Cardigan Bay FLAG works both formally and informally with the Cynnal y Cardi LEADER LAG. Both the FLAG and LAG are based in the same office which gives rise to good networking and excellent communication. Further cooperation and joint working projects are planned in the future.
The FLAG includes the following members: Hanes Aberporth, Aberystwyth Angling Association, Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers, Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales, Cynnal y Cardi, Ceredigion County Council, New Quay Town Council, Aberdyfi Town Council, NRW, Aberystwyth University, Seafish Wales, Cardigan Bay Fisherman’s Association, West Wales Shell-Fisherman’s Association, Aberystwyth Marina, New Quay Boat Trips, Swallow Boats, Mid Wales Tourism, Aberystwyth Boat Club