Fiches FLAG
The territory of VEGAC covers the entire coast between the mouth of the river Tagliamento (North) and the northern pier of the Port of Chioggia (South). The FLAG area is made up of 6 municipalities and stretches along 85 km over half of the Venice Region's coastline. Economically, the area developed since the seventies into a major seaside resort system characterized by tourist flows (30-40 million visitors per year) thanks to the large sandy shoreline north of the Venice lagoon and to the proximity to the historic city of Venice.
Fishing is still a significant activity particularly in the communities of Caorle, Jesolo, Cavallino, Burano, S. Pietro in Volta and Pellestrina, which have over 300 professional fishing units for marine and inland waters. 2.45% of the area’s active population is employed in the fisheries sector. Thanks also to the successful implementation of Axis IV in the 2007-2013 EFF programming period, the fisheries and aquaculture sectors have become more relevant for the economic development of the area.
Challenges in the area are linked to the exploitation of the available natural resources, characterised by fragile coastal environment and protected natural areas in the lagoon, planning and management of the coastal zone and further development of fisheries and aquaculture activities. Furthermore, there is a need to strengthen the fisheries sector and the fisheries communities’ role in local development and governance as the fishing and aquaculture industry in the lagoon of Venice is declining due to reduced income and subsequent outflow of operators.
Peninsula of Cavallino, Mort Lagoon and Pinewood of Eraclea, Lido of Venice, Medium-Lower Lagoon of Venice, Upper Lagoon of Venice, Lagoon of Caorle – Mouth of Tagliamento River, Mouth of Tagliamento River, Valle Vecchia - Zumelle – Valle of Bibione, Valli Zignago - Perera – Franchetti – Nova, Lagoon of Venice, Tegnue of Falconera Port, and Tegnue of Chioggia.
The leading economic activity in the area is tourism and many other activities are linked to it. The Venetian FLAG will support initiatives that link fisheries to tourism, gastronomy and the promotion of fish products to improve incomes of local businesses. Furthermore, there is potential for valorising locally processed and marketed fisheries products (labelling and certification). Considering also the high environmental value of the area, there is a need to protect natural resources, to increase biodiversity in the marine and lagoon environment and to protect fish stocks (e.g. cuttlefish, scallops, razor clams).
The strategy identifies three thematic areas to meet the challenges of the area:
National and regional
The FLAG intends to:
The FLAG is interested in:
The Venetian FLAG area coincides in part with the Venezia Orientale LAG: 5 out of 16 municipalities are the same. The LAG and FLAG share the office and some board members, however work with fully separate strategies.
Coherence of ESI Funds in the Veneto region is guaranteed through a regional programme document, furthermore the strategic choices of the FLAG are acknowledged during the Conference of Mayors of Eastern Veneto, covering 20 municipalities, of which 4 are members of the FLAG.
The Venetian FLAG works informally with the Venezia Orientale LAG.
The membership of the Venetian FLAG consist of Municipalities, the City of Venice, Fisheries Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Fisheries sector’s Producers Organizations, and a Local Development Agency/LAG.