Eastern Cantabria FLAG

Official name:

GAC Oriental de Cantabria

Country:

Spain

Code:

ES217

Programming period:

2007-2013

2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area covers the municipalities of Castro Urdiales, Colindres, Laredo and Santoña, along the eastern coast of Cantabria. The county boasts a rich landscape of wetlands with canals, river deltas and muddy plains, including the Santoña Natural Park.

Fisheries is very present in the area’s identity and the FLAG area accounts for 75% of the region’s landings. Tourism and gastronomy are also important thanks to its long beaches and good provision of leisure infrastructure, restaurants etc.

Video of the FLAG's area and strategy for further details

Type of area:

Coastal

Sea Basins:

Atlantic

Protected areas:

Natural Park of Santoña, Victoria & Joyel (RAMSAR, SPA & SCI); the River Agüera covering 15 Km2 or 11% of the FLAG area; IBA (Important Bird Area) of the Oriental Costera Mountain

Population

62 763

Surface area (km²)

130

Population density

483

Total employment in fisheries

2 229

Fishing:

600

Processing:

1 629

Women employment in fisheries:

1 649

FLAG strategy

In order to attain “smart, green and intelligent growth” with the fisheries sector at its heart, the FLAG has laid out the following four strategic priorities:

Adding value to fisheries products and to sustainable fisheries and improving its competitiveness.
Developing tourism by fostering synergies between the area’s primary sectors.
Capitalising on the area’s environmental assets
Supporting innovation & research and combatting marine pollution.

Themes:

Objective:

Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain

Priority:

% of the budget allocated:

35%

Supporting diversification

25%

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020:

3 211 765

EMFF:

2 723 000
MS co-financing:

481 765
Sources of co-funding:

Regional

Project examples

Creation of the brand “Pescalonja” to promote the quality and specificities of the area’s seafood along with the heritage that it represents for the area and a good practice guide for the sector.
Different fairs to promote local fish species (bonito tuna, anchovies…) the work of the area’s fishermen and women – in particular small-scale, artisanal fishing – and their place in the local gastronomy.
Show cooking with Cantabrian anchovies at weddings, fairs and other events
The development of maritime excursions with a focus on environmental sustainability and access for people with disabilities.

Good Practice

FLAG collaborates with a microcredit institution to support new local businesses

Calls for proposals

Calls for projects will be opened at least once a year and candidates will have one month to present their projects. The most recent call can be found on the FLAG website.

Website:

gaccantabriaoriental.es

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG has experience in micro credit and has worked closely with MicroBank of La Caixa to support access to micro credit for local would-be entrepreneurs.

It is interested in cooperating around actions to add value to the products of sustainable fisheries, including through links with tourism and gastronomy, in particular in areas of the Cantabrian coast and the Atlantic arc with similar types of fishing.

Budget envisaged for cooperation:

100000.00

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

Although the FLAG has no formal links with other CLLD groups, the area borders with a LEADER LAG and there is informal coordination of the two groups’ strategies. The FLAG is also in contact with the other LAGs from the region as well as other FLAGs from around Spain.

Partnership

Members of the partnership:

The fisheries catching and processing sectors, including:

4 fishing organisations (“Cofradias”) from: Castro Urdiales, Colindres, Laredo and Santoña
The regional association of small-scale coastal fishermen
The boat owners association of Santoña
The regional association of net menders
The association of fish processors (CONSESA)

The public sector

4 Town Halls (Castro Urdiales, Colindres, Laredo and Santoña)
The inter-municipal body for sustainable municipalities

Economic partners

Cantabrian Federation for Commerce, COERCAN
Three trade associations (of Colindres: APYMECO; Laredo: ACELAR; and Castro Urdiales ASOCAS)
Workers Union CC.OO
The Cantabrian HORECA association (AEHC)

Civil society

7 different associations and NGOs, linked to the area’s heritage and coastline, as well as a women’s association and an association that organizes classes for the elderly (UNATE)

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

% of fisheries actors:

50%

% of public authorities and other:

33%

% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors:

Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board:

% of public actors:

33%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

2,00