Suwalki-Augustow Lake District FLAG

The FLAG area covers 20 municipalities and is of high natural value. Scenic landscapes with forests, hills and lakes attract a lot of tourism to the area, 60% of which is in the summer. Over 70% of the workforce is employed in agriculture (including fish farming), but incomes are low and there is a high level of unemployment (including high levels of long-term unemployment), especially among people with low skills. A proximity to the border and pre-established transnational cooperation’s, mainly with Lithuania, is also an important feature of the region.

There are numerous fish farms catching mainly freshwater bream, but also perch, pike and roach, which are sold primarily to local restaurants and bars or processed in small-scale plants. Angling accounts for ca. 30% of the income of fish farmers. Key challenges include low level of economic activity, an underinvested tourism infrastructure and the need to diversify and add value to fish farming and protect water quality.