FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network
FLAG Factsheet
The Côte d’Emeraude – Rance – Baie du Mont Saint-Michel area surrounds the Rance river estuary. It is characterised by very contrasted landscapes: rocky shores, small rias stretching inland, marshes and polders. The territory relies on tourism, agriculture and maritime activities.
The fisheries and aquaculture sector are a key component of the activity and identity of the FLAG area, which comprises several education institutions (fisheries, merchant navy), four aquaculture production sites (in particular oysters), several seaweed production sites and five harbours. Saint-Malo, the largest harbour, hosts an industrial fishing fleet and is a key employer of the area. A smaller commercial harbour deals with freight and passenger activity, and hosts a well-integrated artisanal fleet as well as a local auction. Local fisheries mostly target spider crab, sea snails, scallops, shrimps and cod.
The FLAG area faces three main challenges:
Nine Natura 2000 sites; five Biotope protection zones; one Regional Natural Park project on the Rance river; one Regional Natural Reserve; and one RAMSAR site.
Water quality and environmental preservation are the two priority issues identified by the fisheries sector. Other objectives include:
These objectives are addressed by the FLAG strategy through the following action priorities:
Regional and local
Yes. LEADER CLLD will be used for projects linking land and sea. An ERDF funded ITI will support off-shore renewable energy projects.
Projects can be presented all year round and a selection process is organised once a critical mass of project proposals is reached.
The FLAG is interested in cooperation related to all the above-mentioned themes, with a preference for an Atlantic focus.
The area is implementing LEADER strategies which partly cover the FLAG area and address some of the action priorities of EMFF CLLD.
The LAG and the FLAG share some board members; there is a common approach on decision-making and close cooperation on common themes. Pooling of resources are considered as part of a multi-thematic and multi-fund approach.
The FLAG partnership includes the groupings of municipalities of Saint-Malo and Dinan, as well as the local and regional fishing and shell farming organisations, local development agencies, vocational and technical schools, training organisations, chambers of commerce, chamber of agriculture, tourism organisations, research organisations, environment protection stakeholders.
