FLAG Factsheet
The FLAG area is situated in the southeast of Scania and consists, mainly, of rural farmland and coastal areas with some productive woodlands in the north. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or sole proprietor business are common in the region, particularly in fisheries. In the municipality of Simrishamn fisheries remain important even though many of the area’s small-scale fisheries have decreased dramatically in recent years.
Challenges for the FLAG include finding new markets for fisheries products while at the same time working hard to keep small-scale fisheries in the area. There is also a need to improve the water quality both in the surrounding sea and the regions lakes.
There are no protected areas in the FLAG’s territory.
The FLAG strategy aims to nurture cooperation between companies from different sectors with the area’s fisheries with an aim of strengthening their position in the supply chain. The strategy also aims to increase public knowledge of natural and environmental sustainability; increase eco-cycling, planning and thinking. Key objectives include:
Regional and national.
Yes
FLAG project examples and ideas include:
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and more information can be found on the FLAG website.
The FLAG has shareable experience relating to traditional methods of fishing cod. The FLAG also has experience in dealing with seals and the problems they pose to local fishers. To date, this has involved cage and trap testing with the Swedish Agricultural University for the development of seal-proof gear. The FLAG cooperates with other FLAGs on this theme and is willing to further share its expertise in this area
The FLAG shares a legal structure with the local LEADER LAG, their territories overlap, and they also share some board members. The FLAG and LAG have a common local development strategy and the FLAG cooperates with other FLAGs in Sweden and throughout Finland.
FLAG members include two tourism organisations, a marine centre, several full-time fishers from small-scale coastal fisheries enterprises, an economist and the area’s four local municipalities.