Plodovi Mora FLAG

Official name:

LAGUR Plodovi Mora

Country:

Croatia

Code:

HR209

Programming period:

2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area mainly comprises the islands of the coast of Zadar where agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries were historically primary sectors. Today, tourism is the main economic activity in most of the municipalities, except in Kali where aquaculture and small-scale fisheries are the main sources of income for many communities. Large-scale fisheries are also important economically; 49% of Croatia’s national catch is landed in this area, the majority of which is oily fish. Small-scale fisheries are important traditionally and ethnologically for the development and recognition of the area’s history and cultural heritage.

30% of all Croatian employees working in aquaculture work in the FLAG area, either in one of the most successful tuna farms in the world, one of top 10 white fish farms in Europe, or in other local aquaculture production companies. 60% of Croatian mariculture is also produced in this area. The oldest fishing cooperative and the only fisheries producer’s organisation in Croatia are situated in the region. The main fishing techniques are midwater trawling and purse seine nets.

Challenges for the area include a low consumption of local fish and fisheries products per capita, a lack of local product promotion and sales points, weak diversification, and a lack of connections between the tourism and the fisheries sector. The main development needs of the FLAG are related to educational needs and increasing employment in the fisheries and other related sectors, ensuring minimum conditions for fish sales, encouraging new activities, and promoting the maritime heritage as one of the main features of the potential tourist destination. Creating new job opportunities (in fisheries as well as in touristic sector) will directly have a positive impact on the reduction of out-migration.

Type of area:

Coastal
Island
Rural
Urban

Sea Basins:

Mediterranean

Protected areas:

Natura 2000 areas (975km²⁾:

Habitats Directive Sites include:

The islands and surrounding areas of Olib, Silba, Premuda, Škarda, Zapuntel, Ist, Molat, Rivanj, Sestrice; Solišćica, Sakarun and west coast of Dugi otok.
The seas around the islands J. Molat-Dugi otok-Kornat-Murter-Pašman-Ugljan-Rivanj-Sestrunj-Molat
The Telašćica nature park.

Bird Directive Sites:

The northern part of the Zadar archipelago.
The Telašćica Kornati nature parks.

National protected areas (80km^2):

The olive groves of Saljsko polje which is a special botanical reservation site.
Northwestern part of Dugi otok and the island of Ošljak.
The Vladimir Nazor park in Zadar which is a national monument.

Population

82 917

Surface area (km²)

3 570

Population density

Total employment in fisheries

7 500

Fishing:

970

FLAG strategy

To support the diversification of the fisheries sector, links with the tourism industry will be encouraged. The aim is to take advantage of the area’s strong maritime cultural heritage and blue economy from a tourism perspective. The FLAG wants to strengthen the area’s identity and that of its fishing communities by linking the regions cultural, natural and fisheries assets.

Through the sharing of knowledge and the creation of various educational programmes and courses, the FLAG aims to grow and develop the area’s aquaculture businesses. The skills of fishermen in the sector will increase, strengthening capacities and innovation; which will, in turn, lead to the creation of jobs and will attract young people into the industry.

Despite the current high profitability of the fisheries, there are few local fish markets. One of the FLAG’s objectives is to develop both direct and indirect sales channels for local fisheries products. Through increased marketing efforts and promoting the value of fish consumption, the FLAG hopes to shorten supply chains in the area.

Themes:

Objective:

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

Priority:

% of the budget allocated:

26%

Supporting diversification

33%

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

14%

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

25%

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020:

2 200 000

EMFF:

1 870 000
MS co-financing:

330 000
Sources of co-funding:

National

Project examples

Project examples and ideas for Plodovi Mora FLAG include:

Developing gastronomy stop-off points on the islands where people can buy, eat and learn about fish and fisheries related activities.
Linking tourism with aquaculture, providing an opportunity for fishers to exhibit their knowledge, giving visitors a better understanding of the fisheries and aquaculture activities in the region and making them more accessible.
Creating a meeting platform (plateau) which will become a place for different educational and cultural workshops and courses, or for holding different cultural events (reviving the tradition of fish auctions, presenting local products and dishes).
Making common visual identities and brands of local products and communities.

Calls for proposals

The FLAG will make regular calls for projects which will have specific deadlines. More information will be made available on the FLAG website

Website:

http://www.lagurplodovimora.hr/

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG has experience in promoting cultural heritage and creating new ways of making the identity of a fisheries community more visible to others. The FLAG is interested in cooperating with the other FLAGs and institutions in the area, promoting the culture and tourism, as well as in setting up gastronomic campaigns related to seafood. The FLAG is also interested in exchanging experience with other FLAGs in Croatia and across Europe, especially those that have projects related to cultural maritime heritage and promoting pesca-tourism.

Budget envisaged for cooperation:

71800.00

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

Most of the FLAG’s territory overlaps with the area covered by the LEADER LAG Mareta. While the FLAG acts independently, it shares some members with the LAG. There is no common strategy, but an informal agreement of collaboration and the LAG is one of the FLAG’s board members.

Partnership

Accountable body:

Plodovi Mora FLAG

Members of the partnership:

The FLAG includes the following members:

Kali tuna d.o.o. – which specialises in tuna farming, tuna fishing, feed fishing and processing, research and development of aquaculture, sales and exports of tuna.
Cromaris d.o.o. – which specialises in the cultivation, processing and sale of white fish with specific emphasis on sea bass and sea bream.
RZ Omega 3 – a fishing cooperative.
Otočni sabor – NGO oriented towards the development of the Croatian islands.
Mardešić d.o.o. – which specialises in processing.
The University of Zadar and the “Blue Smart” project.
Udruga za promicanje ekološke proizvodnje hrane, zaštite okoliša i održivog razvoja "EKO-ZADAR" – and environmental NGO.
LEADER LAG Mareta.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

% of fisheries actors:

44%

% of public authorities and other:

27%

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

22%

% of environmental actors:

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

% of public actors:

43%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

1,00

Map

FLAG Contacts

www.lagurplodovimora.hr/