Mariña-Ortegal FLAG

Official name:

Grupo de Acción Local do Sector Pesqueiro A Mariña-Ortegal

Country:

Spain

Region:

Galicia

Code:

ES208

Programming period:

2007-2013

2014-2020

Area

The Mariña-Ortegal FLAG is situated in northern Galicia covering 13 municipalities from two provinces. The area includes six estuaries and 16 ports, all of which have some level of fisheries activity. Ten of the ports have fish auctions, while four also have marinas.

The service and construction sectors are the largest source of employment but the fishing industry, of which wholesale is the main activity, is still an important contributor to the local economy, accounting for around 9% of total employment.

Challenges:

The local population, which is distributed fairly evenly across the area, is ageing and in decline. The number of businesses in the area has also been falling in recent years
Fisheries is seen as an unattractive sector to work in, due to the poor work-life balance and low profitability. To create added value, significant efforts are needed to develop the knowledge and technical skills needed to better process and market the high quality products that are landed.
There is a need for a clear economic vision for the region (e.g. on blue growth) in order to boost job creation and ensure a good quality of life in the area. To achieve this, the lack of involvement of social partners in local development initiatives has to be tackled. More specifically in relation to the tourism sector, efforts are needed to brand the area as an attractive tourist destination, taking advantage of local heritage, natural resources and leisure activities linked to the sea.

Type of area:

Coastal

Sea Basins:

Atlantic

Protected areas:

There are 16 protected areas, covering a total of 9 118 ha, almost 8% of the area. This includes: 11 Special Areas of Conservation (As Catedrais, Costa Ártabra, Costa de la Mariña Occidental, Estaca de Bares, Monte Mayor, Ortigueira-Mera, Ría de Foz-Masma, Río Eo, Río Landro, Río Ouro, Sierra del Xistral) and five Special Protection Areas (Costa de la Mariña-Occidental, Costa de Ferrolterra-Valdoviño, Ría de Foz, Ría de Ortigueira y Ladrido, Ría de Ribadeo).

Population

83 838

Surface area (km²)

1 155

Population density

Total employment in fisheries

2 361

Fishing:

1 567

Aquaculture:

232

Processing:

121

Women employment in fisheries:

141

FLAG strategy

The FLAG’s strategy aims to respond to the challenges of the area by focusing on a number of specific objectives. Efforts will focus on improving the competitiveness of the fisheries sector, creating jobs and attracting young people into the sector. This will mainly be achieved by adding value to fisheries products and stimulating innovation at all stages of the supply chain.

By involving different social actors in local development, and by supporting greater participation of the fisheries and maritime sectors in local governance, new economic activities linked to blue growth and the wider maritime sector will be initiated. Training and support for innovation will help to stimulate new businesses. The ultimate aim, however, is to create employment.

The FLAG also aims to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and cultural heritage as part of an overall plan to brand the region as an attractive touristic destination.

Themes:

Objective:

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

Priority:

% of the budget allocated:

45%

Supporting diversification

25%

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

10%

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

10%

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
7 619 689
EMFF: 
6 476 736
MS co-financing: 
1 142 953

Project examples

Supporting the traditional processing of fisheries products;
Seeking innovative ways of making careers in the fisheries sector more attractive and innovative actions aimed at improving working conditions in the sector;
A collective project involving all municipalities in promoting Mariña-Ortegal as a tourism and gastronomic destination;
Supporting joint projects between entities from different sectors, to enhance recreational activities linked to the natural environment and the sea.

Projects approved to date can be found at here (in Spanish).

Good Practice

Reef Water Coral Farm

Net mending: preserving tradition through diversification

A social enterprise to service the fish auctions

Calls for proposals

Every year there will be a call for project proposals with a deadline of the 1^st of March. If the budget of this call is not exhausted, a second call will be organised, with a deadline of the 1^st of September (except in 2020, when there will be no second call, in order to ensure the programme is closed on time).

Expertise & cooperation

Experience in organising cooperation between all FLAGs in Galicia through conferences and study visits to share results (of both projects and methods).
Experience with the cooperation project "Mar Galaica" which involved all Galician FLAGs in jointly promoting maritime tourism in the region.
Participation in the Atlantic Stakeholder platform.
Exchange of "best practices" with various European FLAG areas on: the involvement of women in the fisheries sector; Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM); canning; selective fishing techniques; education (e.g. through a museum and information centre engaging with the fisheries sector), and crafts.

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

The FLAG territory overlaps with that of two LEADER LAGs: A Mariña and Costa Noroeste.

The FLAG acts independently but shares certain board members with the LAGs. Common partners include the 13 municipalities from the general assembly (public sector) and various associations representing the economic, social and environmental sectors (17 in total).

The FLAG coordinates its work informally with both LEADER LAGs.

LAG and FLAG staff have frequent informal exchanges and information given to potential project promotors covers both programmes.

There is no common strategy but the draft versions of the LAG strategies were also adapted to be more in line with the already approved FLAG strategy.

Partnership

Accountable body:

Grupo de Acción Local do Sector Pesqueiro A Mariña-Ortegal

Members of the partnership:

The board consists of:

Seven fishermen´s associations (cofradías);
One association of shellfish farmers;
One association of net makers;
Four local public authorities;
Four social entities: socio-cultural associations, sports and nautical clubs;
Four business associations.

This information is independent from the consultation of environmental actors during the elaboration of the local development strategy.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

% of fisheries actors:

43%

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

38%

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

% of public actors:

19%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

2,00

Visuals

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English