FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Central Finland FLAG

Official name: 
Sisä-Suomen kalatalousryhmä
Country:
Code: 
FI209
Programming period: 
2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area covers 34 municipalities (Hankasalmi, Joutsa, Jyväskylä, Jämsä, Kannonkoski, Karstula, Keuruu, Kinnula, Kivijärvi, Konnevesi, Kuhmoinen, Kyyjärvi, Laukaa, Luhanka, Multia, Muurame, Petäjävesi, Pihtipudas, Saarijärvi, Toivakka, Uurainen, Viitasaari, Äänekoski, Asikkala, Hartola, Hollola, Heinola, Kärkölä, Lahti, Orimattila, Padasjoki, Sysmä, Kouvola and Iitti) and 8 lakes (Päijänne, Keitele, Ylä-Keitele, Kolima, Kivijärvi, Ala-Keitele, Pyhäjärvi, Keurusselkä).

Fishing is an important and profitable activity in the FLAG area, especially along the main section of the Kymijoki River. Fish farming is also an important economic activity, with a strong tradition in the area. The existence of local centres of population (i.e. the cities of Lahti, Jyväskylä and Kouvola), as well as the proximity of the Helsinki metropolitan region, guarantees a consistent demand for fish products. A specialty of the area is signal crayfish, which represents an opportunity but also a challenge, as this is an invasive species.

Fish stocks in many of the local lakes are not fully exploited because of a decline in fishing activity.

There are four main challenges facing the fisheries sector in inland Finland:

  1. The size of the area, which poses logistical challenges, for example;
  2. The infrastructure is inadequate to support fisheries activities. More processing and production facilities and ice stations are needed, in particular;
  3. Small fish species, signal crayfish and fish that have low commercial value, such as cyprinids, are not being fully exploited;
  1. The low profitability of fish farming;

Climate change and in particular warm summers raising water temperature which has increased fish mortality rates. 

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

1450 m2

Population
571 650
Surface area (km²)
24 385
Population density
23
Total employment in fisheries
115
Fishing: 
30
Aquaculture: 
70
Processing: 
15
Women employment in fisheries: 
25

FLAG strategy

The FLAG area is known for its high-quality fish products, good production methods and efficient logistics. Cooperation between all the parties in the industry’s production chain – both between consulting and development organisations and between the owners of waterways and the authorities – is seamless. Profitability of the industry has improved due to new production methods, improved logistics and an increased focus on processing. There are also some profitable fishing tourism businesses active in the area, working in close cooperation with local communities, other tourism businesses and professional fishermen.

To build on this, the FLAG has three strategic priorities:

  1. Develop expertise, improve quality and support innovation;
  2. Development local infrastructure and enhance the operating environment;
  3. Develop new products and markets.
Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
5
% of the budget allocated: 
30%
Supporting diversification
5
30%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
3
20%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
2
10%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
2
10%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
700 000
  • EMFF: 
    329 000
  • MS co-financing: 
    371 000
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    National and local.

Project examples

  • Removing the signal crayfish, an invasive species (according to the EU Strategy on Invasive Species), from local waterways by harvesting it as a source of food.
  • Improving access to fishing sites for professional fishermen.

Calls for proposals

Projects can be presented and selected on an ongoing basis.

Expertise & cooperation

Implementation of the local strategy requires extensive cooperation within the area. This cooperation centres around the parties active in the fishing industry: owners of waterways, research education organisations, business development agencies and enterprises active in the area. 

Type of cooperation projects foreseen:

  • Inter-territorial (within Finland):  Improving the use of cybrinids and other underutilised species;
  • Transnational: Study trips to benchmark the best available techniques and methods.

 

Partnership

Members of the partnership: 
  • The Association of Finnish Inland-fishermen; 
  • The Association of Finnish Fish-farmers;
  • Fish-processing and marketing companies.
Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
4
% of fisheries actors: 
40%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
25%
% of environmental actors: 
5%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
25
% of public actors: 
30%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
1,00

Visuals

Map

FLAG Contacts

Päijänne-Leader ry
 
Meijeritie 1
17200 Vääksy
Finland
FLAG President:
Ms. Anu Taipale
Phone:
+358 40 7642462
FLAG Manager:
Mr. Janne Ruokolainen
Phone:
+358 44 7124209
Languages:
  • Finnish (Mother tongue)
  • English (Intermediate)
Publication date: 
25/12/2016
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