Tirschenreuth / Land of a thousand ponds FLAG

Official name:

FLAG Tirschenreuth / Land der 1000 Teiche

Country:

Germany

Region:

Bavaria

Code:

DE211

Programming period:

2007-2013

2014-2020

Area

Pond farming has always been a small-scale family business and hundreds of families as well as recreational fishermen help to ensure that the ponds continue to exist. Without the fish cultivated in them (mainly carp) and without constant maintenance, these ponds would disappear within a couple of years thereby altering the landscape and the richness of the local ecosystem. These ponds provide very rich habitats for many rare species.

One of the key challenges is the fact that these small-scale family businesses struggle to adapt to an ever more complex business environment (bureaucracy, restrictions due to nature preservation requirements etc.).

Another challenge is the lack of awareness and understanding of the wider benefits of pond farming and associated ecosystem services amongst the general public.

Type of area:

Inland

Sea Basins:

Rivers and Lakes

Protected areas:

The FLAG area is part of three Nature Parks (Nördlicher Oberpfälzer Wald, Oberer Bayerischer Wald and Oberpfälzer Wald). One major bird sanctuary (the Waldnaabaue) is situated in the FLAG area.

Population

76 308

Surface area (km²)

1 084

Population density

Total employment in fisheries

1 000

Aquaculture:

1 000

FLAG strategy

The FLAG has a diversified strategy that aims to address the main challenges from different perspectives. The four main objectives are:

Extending the marketing of and public relations for pond farming, its products and the benefits for the social cohesion in the area.
Improving educational opportunities, qualification and innovation for pond farmer families.
Extending low-impact tourism and local recreation, adding more value to the pond landscapes and other water bodies.
Improving networking and management of the FLAG and its supporting association.

Themes:

Objective:

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

Priority:

% of the budget allocated:

25%

Supporting diversification

30%

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

30%

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

10%

Funding

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

650 000

EMFF:

487 500
MS co-financing:

162 500
Sources of co-funding:

Regional: Land of Bavaria

Project examples

Intensifying the PR and marketing activities of the FLAG and the registered association around the theme “Experience fish in the Land of a Thousand Ponds”, e.g. with a series of events (“Fish adventure weeks”).
Training for the pond farmer families, e.g. in direct marketing, cooking, event management as well as study trips to other fisheries areas.
Info centre at the entrance to the largest and oldest pond area, the Waldnaabaue.

Good Practice

Putting aquaculture at the heart of Tirschenreuth’s identity

FISCHtival of cultures: a colourful and international event with food and music as bridges for the integration of migrants

Calls for proposals

There are no specific calls for projects or deadlines. Throughout the funding period, potential beneficiaries can contact the FLAG management at any time.

The FLAG board meets whenever it is necessary – usually the FLAG management collects several projects for presentation and selection on one date, but if necessary, the board might also meet for a single project.

Website:

http://www.erlebnis-fisch.de

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG has experience and is interested in cooperating with other FLAGs on the following themes:

pond farming,
fish events,
educational projects (especially for children and young people),
low-impact tourism, and
diversification.

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

The FLAG territory is the same as the one of the Tirschenreuth LAG apart from 3 small municipalities that belong only to the FLAG, but not to the LAG area.

The FLAG is a member in the LAG decision board and vice versa, but the FLAG and LAG are two independent partnerships.

The FLAG shares two members with the LAG.

The two strategies are separate, but they were developed in close cooperation and go hand in hand.

Furthermore, there is a very close and constant cooperation between the LAG and the FLAG for many years. They also have neighbouring offices.

Partnership

Accountable body:

ARGE Fisch im Landkreis

Members of the partnership:

The FLAG partnership includes:

pond farmers,
local banks,
recreational fisheries clubs,
restaurants,
direct sellers,
municipalities,
local economy associations,
private companies,
environmental NGOs,
local newspapers, and
the Tirschenreuth LAG.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

% of fisheries actors:

53%

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

20%

% of environmental actors:

13%

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

% of public actors:

40%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

0,50

Visuals

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FLAG DE211 - Land of a Thousand Ponds (Tirschenreuth)

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FLAG DE211 - Fisch on a lake

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FLAG DE211 - Ponds aerial view

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FLAG DE211 - Sunset on ponds

English

Map

FLAG Contacts

www.erlebnis-fisch.de