FLAG Factsheet
The Marennes Oléron FLAG covers a rural and coastal territory whose natural and agricultural landscapes represents 85% of the area (40% of which are marshes). Tourism and primary sector activities are important components of the local economy, along with services and commercial activities.
In terms of maritime activities, inshore fisheries and aquaculture, shellfish harvesting, oyster production and associated production in the saltmarshes all play a strong role within the economic life and history of the area. Marennes Oléron stands out in particular for its oyster farming activities (including spat collection and PGI certified on-growing) with 50% of French production originating from the area. The Cotinière Harbour supports a diversified artisanal fleet and its auction is the 6th French harbour in landing volumes, with an annual turnover of €29 million.
The fisheries and aquaculture sectors are affected by strong seasonality linked with the attractiveness of the area in the summer. Socio-economic characteristics of the area show a series of unbalanced opportunities (good quality basic services, a dynamic VSME-SME network and strong representation of the primary sector) and pressures, resulting in a series of challenges:
The strategy of the Marennes Oléron FLAG will address the following priorities, identified collectively to place fisheries and marine harvests at the heart of the area:
Largely regional, and possibly national and local
Projects will be submitted, reviewed and agreed on an ongoing basis.
Additionally, one or more specific calls for projects may be organized to maximize the use of the budget available and to simplify the search for public funding by project promoters.
Marennes Oleron FLAG intends to organise cooperation projects to enrich its own strategy implementation, strengthen and extend local dynamics and improve local practices and know-how through exchanges with other territories facing similar issues.
Additional animation on cooperation projects could be foreseen during the programme, with the aim of supporting concrete cooperation projects carried out by the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
A first cooperative action was initiated around the emergence of the oyster farming sector in the Sine Saloum delta in Senegal, to create links with the French oyster basin Marennes Oléron and share expertise.
The Marennes Oleron FLAG covers the same area as the Marennes Oleron LEADER programme, focused on "energy for a new rural coast".
It also partially overlaps with the LEADER area of Rochefort Océan, where the strategy is aimed at "reconciling heritage and innovation", and the Atlantic LEADER area, working on "rebalancing the coastal-rural link for better territorial complementarities and attractiveness".
Overlapping themes between the LEADER programmes of the three territories and the Marennes Oleron FLAG include: short circuits, positioning of primary sectors within local dynamics - especially through tourism, the promotion of know-how, product promotion, and marsh usage... Cooperation is formalised by the involvement of common members in the various bodies, as well as by interaction among the staff.
In addition, the strengthening of links between the four FLAGs in the New Aquitaine region is an important axis of cooperation. Informal exchanges have been initiated between FLAG managers.
The selection committee includes:
Associated Members (non-voting):
Region, State Services, County Council, Community Services, Water Actors (SAGE, EPTB, Water Agency), AGLIA, Marine Natural Park, Industries, Chamber of Agriculture, University of La Rochelle, LPO natural heritage study department, Tourist offices, Employment Agencies...