FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Gran Canaria FLAG

Official name: 
GAC Gran Canaria
Country:
Code: 
ES237
Programming period: 
2007-2013
2014-2020

Area

The FLAG covers the coastline of Gran Canaria, the most populated of the seven Canary Islands. Tourism is the main engine of Gran Canaria’s economy, 63% of which is divided between the retail trade and the restaurant sector.

Artisanal fisheries represent just 0.2% of the area’s direct employment, although this varies according to the municipalities. Industrial fisheries are also present in the big ports where boats from a number of different countries land their catch from long distant fishing (bluefin tuna, bonito, yellow fin tuna, to mention just a few). However, up to 12 nautical miles the island’s fisheries are largely small-scale, carried out by boats under 15 metres, using selective techniques and excluding bottom trawling. Over 150 different fish species are targeted, ranging from sardines and mackerel to grouper.

It is the fishing community around this artisanal fleet that the FLAG aims to support. Indeed, unlike the industrial fleet, this sector is facing difficulties to remain competitive and market their products effectively, resulting in most of the value of their catch going to middle men. Illegal fishing is another challenge, undermining the viability of small-scale fisheries. 

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

Gran Canaria has 33 “protected natural areas”, making up 43% of its total surface area. It also has 7 marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), one marine Special Protection Area (SPA) and five land SPAs.

Population
232 000
Surface area (km²)
882
Population density
263

FLAG strategy

From the analysis of the needs and priorities of the fisheries area, five priority lines of action were chosen for the period:

  • The creation of added value and employment from local fisheries products, in particular through differentiation and vertical integration of the supply chain
  • Diversification of the area’s economic activities
  • Environmental sustainability, including fostering collaboration between scientists and professionals in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
  • Promotion and dissemination of the area’s fishing heritage and supporting projects that promote citizen participation and activities aimed at reducing conflicts between the fisheries sector and the other users of the marine space.
  • Cooperation and increased participation of the fishing sector in the development of the area and with FLAGs in other areas.
Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
5
% of the budget allocated: 
25%
Supporting diversification
5
25%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
3
15%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
3
15%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
4
20%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
1 567 896
  • EMFF: 
    1 175 922
  • MS co-financing: 
    391 974
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    Regional

  • Funds: 
    Other(s)

Project examples

  • Encouraging entrepreneurship through technical support in the design and business planning phase of launching new products and services related to local products.I
  • ntroduction of new technologies related to information and communication (ICTs) in the marketing of fisheries products.
  • Fostering meetings between different economic sectors present in the fishing area and with the capacity to generate positive synergies that promote the creation of local employment.

Expertise & cooperation

The Gran Canaria FLAG has experience in pilot projects elated to tourism fshing and off-shore aquaculture. It is interested in cooperating with others FLAGs and CLLD groups, in particular on projects related to the control of illegal fishing, fish processinf and fishing tourism activities.

Partnership

Members of the partnership: 

28 different bodies makes up the FLAG partnership.These include six fisheries organisations and cooperatives, two aquaculture organisations, ten different public-sector bodies (including town halls, public companies, the provincial government and a university), four compaies from the private sector and 6 associations.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
26
% of fisheries actors: 
29%
% of public authorities and other: 
36%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
35%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
6
% of public actors: 
16%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
1,00

Visuals

Map

FLAG Contacts

Grupo de Acción Costera de Gran Canaria
 
Carretera General del Norte km 7.2, Cardones, Arucas
35413 Canary Islands
Spain
FLAG President:
Mr. Juan Gabriel Jiménez Cruz
FLAG Manager:
Ms. Montse Gimeno
Phone:
+34 928 93 12 32
Languages:
  • Spanish (Mother tongue)
  • French (Basic)
  • English (Advanced)
Publication date: 
12/09/2017
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