FLAG Factsheet
The FLAG area comprises a large part of the Provinces of Grosseto and Livorno including the island Elba. The area was selected based on the presence of significant fishing ports accommodating the fishing fleets operating in the maritime departments of Livorno and Portoferraio, which make use of the same fishing area and fish resources. In this area, the fishermen share markets, marketing methods and processing methods. The main fishing ports are located in Castiglione della Pescaia, Livorno and Marina di Campo.
Local fleets are affected by a strong reduction in fishing as a result of the application of measures banning certain fishing activities. Fishing activities, although they derive from an ancient marine tradition, are currently going through a slow period, even though it is believed that there would be strong demand for fish in the area. Excessive fishing in previous decades, together with mechanisation and technology, have resulted in a depletion of fish stocks, making it necessary for rational management of fish resources in the area.
The municipalities of Grosseto and Castiglione della Pescaia have many aquaculture companies. However, their activities are located close to the Diaccia Botrona Natural Park, and they therefore require specific environmentally compatible methods for running their businesses.
Regional Park of Maremma, National Park Arcipelago Toscano, Natural Reserve Diaccia Botrona, Meloria shoal
The FLAG’s strategy focuses on the promotion of intersectoral connections between all local economic activities - fisheries, aquaculture, agri-food industry, tourism, crafts, research, etc. - in order to maximize the involvement and participation of local actors in the development of the area.
The strategy aims to contribute to the achievement of wider objectives linked to fighting climate change and implementing the principle of equal opportunities and non-discrimination, in particular:
The strategy also includes a series of experimental measures in environmental and fisheries resources management, as well as training for fisheries and aquaculture operators in environmentally sustainable practices.
National €222 751; Regional €95 464
Examples of projects ideas are the following:
The former “Coast of Tuscany FLAG” has carried out some inter-territorial and transnational cooperation projects (e.g. twinning activities with other FLAGs for development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector).
The FLAG is interested in inter-territorial and transnational cooperation activities to enhance and strengthen the activities developed in the framework of the Local Development Strategy, e.g. sharing good practice for fish resource management (inter- territorial)
The FLAG will continue the cooperation of the past programming period with LEADER LAGs F.A.R. Maremma (IT) and Vidourle Camargue (FR)
The Etruscan Coast FLAG is a newly created partnership: in the previous programming period, the entire coast of Tuscany was covered by one FLAG, while there are now two FLAGs in the region. The FLAG intends to build up a close working relationship with the other FLAG in Tuscany (Costa d’Argento) to ensure a coherent development and knowledge of fisheries and aquaculture throughout the region.
The LEADER LAG in the area (GAL F.A.R. Maremma), is lead partner of FLAG, and both have the same president. Some office spaces are shared and some staff members work for both the LAG and the FLAG, in a collaborative and synergic setting.
FLAG members are the following: LEADER LAG F.A.R. Maremma, municipalities of Grosseto, Castiglione della Pescaia, Magliano in Toscana, the National Federation of Fishing Companies (Federpesca), Association of cooperatives Toscana Sud, Italian Federation of Workers in the Agro-Industry (department of Livorno (FLAI CGIL). The Development Agency F.A.R. MAREMMA has experience of managing ESI funds for three programming periods.