FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network
FLAG Factsheet
The island of Chios belongs of the region of Northern Aegean. It is found in the eastern Aegean near the Turkish coast, and as such, has recently come under considerable pressure due to the migrant crisis. Even before this crisis, the island was considered to be an outermost region with many of the economic difficulties that come with this status.
The fisheries sector here is mostly on a small and medium scale. A small quantity of local fisheries products is consumed by the local market and the rest is sent to Athens. Expanding markets for this catch will be a challenge in coming year. The aquaculture production units found here are believed to have considerable export potential.
There are three Natura areas which cover a total of 63.26% of the EMMF area.
The priorities of the FLAG strategy include environmental protection, job creation and the enhancement of other economic opportunities for the area.
National
The approved multi-funded programme is €6 950 000 (€1 900 000 from the EMFF and €5 050 000 from the EAFRD).
The FLAG has no experience in thematic expertise and cooperation.
One of the inter-territorial cooperation projects the FLAG is interested in is “Marine Environment – Parakites, threats and fisheries”.
This project aims to list the threats faced by the Greek coast with regard fisheries and coastal areas. In particular, it is hoped to monitor human activity and its impact on the marine environment. There will also be a focus on the entry of tropical species into the Mediterranean Sea and the creation of an observatory to address the dangers and the threats.
The FLAG shares a legal structure with the local LEADER LAG and their territories overlap. They also have a common Programme Management Committee which allows them to share strategies. The FLAG also cooperates with other FLAGs nearby and throughout Greece.
Key FLAG members include the regional association of municipalities of the northern Aegean, the Mastic cooperative of Chios, the University of Aegean and various agricultural cooperatives.
Although no fisheries actors are formal members of the association, a local fisheries organisation sits on the project selection board of the FLAG.
