FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Mittland Plus FLAG

Official name: 
Leader Mittland Plus
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
SE203
Programming period: 
2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area consists of woodland and a large number of lakes and rivers as well as some off-shore islands. This is a coastal region that includes eight municipalities in total. Bräcke, Ånge, Timrå and Sollefteå are inland municipalities with lakes and rivers connected to the coastal waters. Sundsvall, Kramfors, Härnösand, and Örnsköldsvik municipalities have inland lakes and rivers as well as coastal maritime environments.

Sea catches here include herring, whitefish and salmon. Freshwater species such as perch and pike are also fished. Fishing areas of national interest are found in the archipelago outside of Örnsköldsvik, at the mouth of the Ångermanälven and outside Sundsvall around Alnön and Brämön.

Aqua farming on land is a new area, which can help improve the aquatic environment and business diversification for active fishermen.

Sea fishing as a form of tourism also has the potential to be a new source of income. An increasing number of restaurants have been established in both the coastal and the sheltered environment with the aim of capturing the tourist trade.

Challenges here include the recruitment of future generations of fishermen/women as the average age is high among both farmers and occupational fishermen. It is also difficult for smaller firms to deal with the regulatory burden. The fisheries also seek to address the challenge of predators competing for harvest, such as seals and cormorant.

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

There are over 400 protected areas in the FLAG area, such as nature preserves, one World Heritage Site (Höga Kusten), one National Park (Skuleskogen) and two BSPA’s (Vänta Litets Grund and Höga Kusten World Heritage). Sandviken fishing village is a cultural heritage preservation site. The larger rivers are also partly protected from power plant development. About 0.4% of the total area is covered by water protection areas.

Population
252 064
Surface area (km²)
25 467
Population density
10
Total employment in fisheries
26
Fishing: 
26

FLAG strategy

There are four main aims addressed in the strategy:

  • Social economy and local capital formation
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Preserving nature and cultural heritage
Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
5
% of the budget allocated: 
20%
Supporting diversification
5
20%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
5
20%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
5
20%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
5
20%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
5 800 000
  • EMFF: 
    2 900 000
  • MS co-financing: 
    2 900 000
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    Local and Regional

  • Funds: 
    EAFRD
    ERDF
    ESF

Project examples

  • Nature preservation and information campaigns regarding the Moälven River in Örnsköldsvik
  • Feasibility study, to see if it is possible to start a local aquaculture business in the Härnösand area
  • International cooperation on seals and cormorant in the Baltic sea – Lead Partner Finland
  • Regional cooperation on recruiting next generation of fishermen/fisherwomen, two FLAGs involved.

Calls for proposals

Projects can be presented and selected on an ongoing basis.

Expertise & cooperation

  • The FLAGs expertise is in overall project management and applications. FLAG staff are experienced in tourism development and tourism marketing. The FLAG has partners experienced in fisheries, regional management of fishing and nature, aquaculture and tourism.
  • The FLAG is interested in cooperation with other FLAGs on any topic foreseen in the local strategy.
Budget envisaged for cooperation: 
22000.00

Partnership

Members of the partnership: 

The FLAG membership includes the municipalities of Bräcke, Ånge, Sundsvall, Timrå, Härnösand, Kramfors, Sollefteå and Örnsköldsvik, regional county councils in Västernorrland County and Jämtland County, the regional association of municipalities, local business associations in Bräcke, Ånge, Sundsvall and Timrå, local rural development associations in Bräcke, Ånge, Sundsvall and Timrå and the regional fishermen’s association.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
40
% of fisheries actors: 
8%
% of public authorities and other: 
23%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
69%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
13
% of public actors: 
31%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
2,00

Map

FLAG Contacts

Leader Mittland Plus
 
Box 890,
851 24 Sundsvall
Sweden
FLAG Manager:
Ms. Erika Larsson
Phone:
+46 70 316 23 66
Languages:
  • Swedish (Mother tongue)
  • English (Advanced)
  • German (Advanced)
  • Polish (Advanced)
Publication date: 
08/09/2017
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