FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network
Fiches FLAG
The area is located in the centre Aegean Sea and covers the islands of Limnos and Aghios Efstratios, as well as few smaller, uninhabited islets. Limnos is the eighth largest Greek island and, for many centuries, was the landmark of the most important marine trails where the Mediterranean and the Black Sea met.
The whole regional unit has a long fishing tradition and along with agriculture and tourism it remains the main source of income here.
The main challenges here are the difficulties involved with the introduction of sustainable and environmentally friendly production methods, as well as an ageing population and a high rate of unemployment.
88,25% of the area is made up of protected Natura 2000 sites
The main objectives of the FLAG strategy are the reinforcement of the local economy through job growth and sustainable development which will be taking into consideration factors such as the protection of the environment and local identity, as well as the support of the social structure.
The local strategy will aim to increase the competitiveness of the local fisheries sector and to emphasise the attractiveness of the local cultural identity, in order to achieve the enhancement of the area as a sustainable tourist destination.
National
Project ideas include the establishment of new businesses in the tourism sector as a source of supplementary income for professional fishermen. It is also hoped to diversify primary fisheries activity (e.g. Conversion of traditional fisheries vessels into boats suitable for pesca-tourism).
Calls for projects will be published on www.anel-sa.gr.
The lead partner of the FLAG has strong experience in cooperation: both interterritorial and transnational.
The main areas of expertise are the enhancement of local cultural identity and the promotion of the authentic, traditional character of the area’s local cuisine and food production.
An interterritorial cooperation plan has been envisaged, concerning the maritime environment, coastal threats and fisheries.
The FLAG shares a legal structure with the local LEADER LAG and their territories overlap. They also have a common Programme Management Committee which allows them to share strategies. The FLAG also cooperates with other FLAGs nearby and throughout Greece.
FLAG members include the municipality of Limnos, the agriculture cooperative of Limnos and the agriculture cooperative of Atsiki.
Although no fisheries actors are formal members of the association, a local fisheries organisation sits on the project selection board of the FLAG.
