FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

North East FLAG

Official name: 
FLAG North East
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
IE207
Programming period: 
2014-2020

Area

The North East FLAG area covers the coast of counties Fingal, Meath and Louth. This area is home to almost 8% of the national fleet, the most important Razor Clam (Ensis siliqua) and Cockle (Cerastoderma edule) fisheries in Ireland, and the southern section of the of North Irish Sea Nephrop Ground. Aquaculture in this region is focused around Carlingford Lough and produces oysters and mussels.

The main fishing port on this coast is Howth, just to the north of Dublin city, with additional fishing activity at Port Oriel in Clogherhead, Annagassan, Balbriggan, Skerries and Loughshinny, amongst others.

This coastal region is characterised by vast sandy beaches interspersed with rocky headlands. All of which is on the doorstep of Dublin and, as such, it is an area that attracts a large number of “day-trippers”. A major challenge here is to capture the overnight tourist potential of the area. This region also has many nationally well-known walking routes including The Tain route, The Blackrock, and the Dundalk and Drogheda Sli in Louth.

Another challenge here includes adding value to the 70% of landings, that are currently sold on as a commodity.

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

There are 13 special areas of conservation (several of which are offshore), 13 special protection areas and one natural heritage site.  Most these conservation sites are located on the coastline from Howth to Skerries and again around Annagassan near Dundalk. Along the coast there are also two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).

Population
164 484
Surface area (km²)
1 630
Population density
100
Total employment in fisheries
1 054
Fishing: 
308
Aquaculture: 
41
Processing: 
705

FLAG strategy

The Northeast FLAG’s local development strategy sets out actions to be taken over five years in order to achieve its goal of creating sustainable coastal communities. The five themes of the strategy are:

  • Economic development of coastal areas
  • Harnessing and developing the skills and knowledge of the local coastal community
  • Promoting social well-being and coastal cultural heritage
  • Enabling more participative involvement in the governance of fisheries
  • Protecting and promoting the environment

The FLAG’s full Strategy can be found here

Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
5
% of the budget allocated: 
69%
Supporting diversification
4
18%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
1
2%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
3
7%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
2
2%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
1 560 000
  • EMFF: 
    780 000
  • MS co-financing: 
    780 000
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    National Government

Project examples

FLAG North East has not received any project applications as of yet, however some assistance has been given to potential applicants including:

  • three festival proposals aimed at highlighting the tourist amenity and seafood offerings in the area
  • several infrastructure improvement projects
  • three start-up enterprises in seafood processing
  • two marine tourism projects.

Calls for proposals

A general call for projects is issued in February each year and closes in early March. Depending on the number of applicants in the first call, a targeted call focusing on specific themes is also issued in early September.

The project call can be found here.

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG has experience in business support, community development, wildlife conservation, education and training, inshore fishing and seafood processing. The FLAG is interested in networking and knowledge transfer between all seven FLAGs in Ireland.

Budget envisaged for cooperation: 
50000.00

Partnership

Accountable body: 
BIM North East
Members of the partnership: 

Partners include: Meath, Louth and Fingal Public Participation Networks, The Loughs Agency (cross border agency with responsibility for the oversight of border loughs (lakes)), The Education and Training Board, Fingal County Council, The Irish Seal Sanctuary, The Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum, and Clogherhead Fishermen’s Co-operative.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
10
% of fisheries actors: 
40%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
20%
% of environmental actors: 
10%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
10
% of public actors: 
30%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
0,50

Visuals

Map

FLAG Contacts

BIM North East
 
BIM Crofton Road
Dun Laoghaire
A96 E5A0 County Dublin
Ireland
FLAG Manager:
Mr. Paul Downes
Phone:
+353 1 214 4135
Languages:
  • English (Mother tongue)
Publication date: 
08/04/2017
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