FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Northern Ireland FLAG --ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020--

Official name: 
South East Area (SEA) FLAG
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
UK219
Programming period: 
2007-2013
2014-2020

Area

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020--
The FLAG is located along the South Eastern shores of County Down. The three main villages include in the territory are Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie. The historic coastal ports of these three which comprises 95% of the fisheries industry in Northern Ireland. All are historic coastal ports, with many families working in the fishing industry for generations. Although the areas share a common maritime tradition and relative socio-economic characteristics, each village is unique.

Over the last 30 years, the fishing industry has faced a continual decline in fish stocks. Allied with wider economic and environmental factors, this presents a significant challenge to the FLAG area and its local fishing community.

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Population
12 170
Surface area (km²)
491
Population density
36
Total employment in fisheries
973
Fishing: 
448
Aquaculture: 
125
Processing: 
400

FLAG strategy

The FLAG strategy has the following objectives:

  • Ensuring key skills and critical infrastructure are preserved during transitory phases.
  • Encouraging diversification into other activities in the marine environment.
  • Supporting adaptation efforts to climate change and other environmental factors.
  • Improving supply chain mechanisms and market access with a view to value adding and delivering higher value prices to fishermen.
  • Addressing price declines.
  • Improving access to credit and other forms of financing.
  • Improving the resilience of operators who depend on very few species.
  • Maintaining a critical mass to ensure viable infrastructure.
Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
5
% of the budget allocated: 
26%
Supporting diversification
5
27%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
5
12%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
5
21%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
5
12%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
2 329 048
  • EMFF: 
    1 863 238
  • MS co-financing: 
    465 810
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    National

Calls for proposals

Projects may be presented and are selected on an ongoing basis, there are no specific deadlines:  https://seaflag.co.uk/application/

Partnership

Accountable body: 
Northeren Ireland FLAG (South East Area - SEAFLAG)
Members of the partnership: 

FLAG members include the Anglo North Irish Fish Producers Organisation, Ards and North Down Borough Council, County Down Rural Community Network, David Henderson Design (Private), Down Business Centre, Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce, Mourne Heritage Trust, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority, Northern Ireland Fishing Producers Organisation, Northern Ireland Women in fisheries, Scampi Processors Association, Seafish UK, Southern Regional College, and Strangford Lough and Lecale.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
16
% of fisheries actors: 
31%
% of public authorities and other: 
18%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
38%
% of environmental actors: 
13%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
16
% of public actors: 
19%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
2,00

Map

FLAG Contacts

Northeren Ireland FLAG (South East Area - SEAFLAG)
 
Downshire Civic Centre, Downshire Estate, Ardglass Road
BT30 6GQ Downpatrick
United Kingdom
FLAG Manager:
Ms. Margaret Rodgers
Phone:
+44 300 013 2233 ext 2511
FLAG President:
Ms. Fiona Rooney
Languages:
  • English (Mother tongue)
Publication date: 
10/04/2019
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