FLAG Factsheet
The FLAG territory is situated in the western part of the coastline in the North of Spain, facing the Bay of Biscay (in Spain referred to as Mar Cantabria). It is an area of high natural value, bordered in the west by the river Porcía and in the east by the municipality of Navia, the only city in the territory.
This low populated area has four small fishing harbours. Around 40 coastal fishing boats use traditional techniques such as gillnets, traps or longlines while shellfish gathering is also an important activity locally. The main species harvested in the area are goose barnacles, octopus, hake and mackerel.
The primary sector, in total, generates 15% of local employment. Industries such as cellulose production, dairy and shipyards, together with the construction sector are concentrated in the city of Navia and generate almost 30% of the area’s employment. However, most jobs in the area (more than 55%) are related to the tertiary sector, partly due to tourism surging in the last decade.
A key challenge for the area is the current low-income levels of fishermen who consequently, are not able to invest and innovate their businesses.
The FLAG area three special areas of conservation. They are the Porcía and Navia rivers and the area of Penarronda-Barayo which covers the area’s entire 43km2 of coastline.
The FLAG strategy is mainly focussed on increasing the value of the fisheries industry in the Navia Porcia area. It aims to make the industry more profitable without increasing catch sizes and without disturbing the current environmental balance. The FLAG will support projects at different stages of the supply chain, starting with the handling of the catch on board, the certification at the first point of sales and including processing activities and marketing of the local products.
In addition, the FLAG targets activities that generate employment in the tourism sector especially those looking at developing new activities linked with a fisheries identity.
Regional
FLAG project examples and ideas include:
The FLAG makes an annual call for projects. Further information on the application process and deadlines can be found via the following link.
The FLAG is interested in cooperation projects related to the following themes:
All municipalities in the FLAG are also included in the LEADER LAG “Navia-Porcía”. However, the LEADER area also includes five other municipalities. Each group has its own strategy, but extensive coordination took place during the development process. However, the legal structure and the partnerships are the same for both groups. As for the board, the FLAG has 10 board members, of which, four are also members of the LAG.
FLAG members include nine local public authorities, four fishermen’s associations (cofradías), five representatives from the agricultural sector, four social entities which include three social-cultural associations and one nautical sports club, one environmental organisation and one representative from the hotel industry.