Tenerife FLAG

Official name:

GAC Tenerife

Country:

Spain

Region:

Canary Islands

Code:

ES238

Programming period:

2007-2013

2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area covers the 342km coastline of Tenerife which varies from rocky cliffs to low coastline and beaches. Tenerife is very much geared around tourism but there are many activities that utilise the island’s coast and marine space. Employment levels are good in the coastal area and fishing and aquaculture account for 3.4% of the island’s total employment and around 2% of its GDP.

Ten fishing organisations support the 500 small-scale fishermen working in Tenerife with a combined annual catch of 6 180 tonnes, worth around €14.3M. Two marine aquaculture farms produce a further 1 240 tonnes of fish (mainly Sea Bass and Sea Bream) for a value of approximately €4.5M. On top of professional fisheries, there are 35 000 leisure fishing licenses in Tenerife which account for an additional 574 tonnes a year (an average of 14.3 kilos per license).

Reconciling tourism with professional fisheries, encouraging more youth and women to enter the sector and improving the quality and value of local fisheries products are among the challenges that the FLAG aims to address.

Type of area:

Coastal
Island
Rural

Sea Basins:

Atlantic

Protected areas:

Tenerife boasts 58 protected areas, covering over 50% of the island. These include nature reserves, national parks and various types of Natura 2000 protected areas, amongst others.

Population

818 740

Surface area (km²)

1 680

Population density

487

Total employment in fisheries

622

Fishing:

534

Aquaculture:

Processing:

Women employment in fisheries:

FLAG strategy

The FLAG’s strategy focuses on supporting:

Improved marketing for fisheries products, including a collective label for artisanal fishing, new marketing models and improved hygiene practices.
A strengthened aquaculture sector, through improved sanitary practices and equipment, better monitoring and control and more environmentally friendly practices.
Employment initiatives, including training aimed at women and young people.
Better cooperation between fisheries and aquaculture – and linking them more closely to other sectors, such as tourism (e.g. through pesca-tourim and other, land-based fisheries-related tourism) and the hotel and restaurant trade.
A reduced carbon footprint of the island’s fisheries products.An improved public image of the local artisanal fishing and promotion of the island’s fisheries heritage and products, including school activities.
Working closely with the fisheries community to encourage ownership and leadership by the sector of the FLAG’s strategy.

Themes:

Objective:

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

Priority:

% of the budget allocated:

30%

Supporting diversification

30%

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

15%

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

10%

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

15%

Funding

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

1 279 607

EMFF:

959 705
MS co-financing:

319 902
Sources of co-funding:

Regional

Project examples

Initiatives, such as collective brands, to enhance product differentiation of fish landed by the island’s small-scale fleet and increase sales locally, in particular of tuna, 85% of which is currently exported
Working with local restaurants to increase the use of local fish.

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

There is a FLAG and a LEADER LAG (AIDER) in Tnerife, with the AIDER operating inland and the FLAG covering the coastline up to appoximately 400 metres from the sea. The two groups are separate organizations and while no formal coordination is in place there is a small overkap of public sector members on the FLAG and LAG boards.

Partnership

Accountable body:

GAC Tenerife

Members of the partnership:

The FLAG has a total of 27 members, including the local fishing organisation, the town halls in the FLAG area, environmental NGOs, aquaculture producers and surf associations.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

% of fisheries actors:

37%

% of public authorities and other:

33%

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

27%

% of environmental actors:

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

% of public actors:

25%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

1,00