FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Due mari FLAG

Official name: 
FLAG GAC dei Due Mari
Country:
Code: 
IT-SIC-IT227
Programming period: 
2007-2013
2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area is situated in the southeast of Sicily and encompasses the provinces of Siracusa and Ragusa. The region has a strong agriculture and tourism sectors and a historical seafaring culture. Today, the fisheries of the area are characterised by small and medium enterprises which predominantly use artisanal methods.

68% of fisheries belong to the FLAG territory’s artisan coastal fishing fleet and uses traditional tools. The main target species of trawlers are pink and red shrimp, hake, mullet and mud mullet, octopus, cuttlefish, squid, saurian, stingrays and monkfish. The purse seine vessels mainly capture sardines, anchovies and mackerel. Vessels with the ‘longline’ fishing system, mainly catch swordfish but seasonally they focus on smaller pelagic species.

Protecting what is a relatively unspoilt natural landscape is a challenge to both the area and the FLAG. Tourism is important to the region’s economy as it creates jobs and diversifies traditional fishing activities. However, developing and growing the sector in a sustainable way that protects the area’s natural environment is a challenge and requires an innovative strategy. 

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

The FLAG’s territory includes several protected Natura 2000 protected areas, both Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protected Areas (SPA). Among the most important are the seabed and the mouth of the Irminio river, the Contrada Regilione, the Maganuco beach, the Isola dei Porri, the Pantani of south-eastern Sicily and Capo Passero Island. The territory also includes the Irmirio Organic Forest Park and Isola dei Porri nature reserves.

Population
194 781
Surface area (km²)
1 256
Population density
155
Total employment in fisheries
525
Women employment in fisheries: 
139

FLAG strategy

The FLAG’s local development strategy aims to create jobs, promote innovation throughout the fisheries supply chain, and improve and exploit the environmental heritage of the area including interventions aimed at mitigating climate change. The strategy focuses on two main thematic areas:

  • Development and innovation of supply chains and local production systems (agri-food, craft and manufacturing, fish production).
  • The protection of the area’s natural landscape, land use and biodiversity.
Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
4
% of the budget allocated: 
56%
Supporting diversification
1
0%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
5
29%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
1
0%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
1
0%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
2 449 000
  • EMFF: 
    1 224 500
  • MS co-financing: 
    1 224 500
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    Regional and national

Project examples

Project ideas for the FLAG include:

  • The development of a campaign aimed at enhancing and revitalising the historical and cultural characteristics of fisheries in the Mediterranean.
  • Creating a website GIS database (Global Information System) which will include the area’s main environmental and cultural attractions.
  • ‘Blue Network’ – a network for tourism operators (restaurants and hotels) aimed at shortening supply chains and promoting the consumption of Mediterranean produce.
  • An international conference involving the FLAG’s key stakeholders and using established networking techniques (FARNET, IAMB and INEA). The conference will allow for the creation of lasting relationships and an efficient network between Mediterranean FLAGs. 

Calls for proposals

The FLAG makes regular calls for projects which will be published on the FLAG website:

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG has experience in transnational cooperation projects in the Mediterranean area. The FLAG is interested in further cooperation projects with other Mediterranean FLAGs on the following themes:

  • Diversification within the fisheries sector.
  • Diversification of activities within the area’s fisheries value chain.
  • Integrating fisheries and tourism.
  • Diversification into other areas such as social services, renewable energy and other emerging sectors.

Partnership

Accountable body: 
FLAG GAC dei Due Mari
Members of the partnership: 

The partnership is well represented by the main stakeholders of the FLAG territory. In addition to the institutional partners such as the municipalities, the Free Municipal Consortium of Syracuse, higher education institutes, research centres and universities, there are the main trade associations and bodies in the fishing industry, cultural and environmental associations, companies operating in the processing and marketing of fish and aquaculture products.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
34
% of fisheries actors: 
24%
% of public authorities and other: 
23%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
47%
% of environmental actors: 
6%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
16
% of public actors: 
38%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
4,00

Map

FLAG Contacts

FLAG GAC dei Due Mari
 
Via Lucio Tasca, 33
96010 Portopalo di Capo Passero (SR)
Italy
FLAG Manager:
Mr. Salvatore Ignaccolo
Phone:
+39 0931 848011
Languages:
  • Italian (Mother tongue)
  • English (Basic)
  • Spanish (Basic)
  • French (Basic)
Publication date: 
22/09/2017
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