FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Venetian - VeGAL FLAG

Official name: 
VeGAL - Agenzia di sviluppo del Veneto Orientale
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
IT-VEN-IT202
Programming period: 
2007-2013
2014-2020

Area

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.

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

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. 

Population
159 579
Surface area (km²)
783
Population density
203
Total employment in fisheries
1 242

FLAG strategy

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:

  • Development and innovation of fisheries and aquaculture sectors and local production systems;
  • Enhancement and management of environmental and natural resources;
  • Economic and social diversification linked to changes in the fisheries sector.
Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
5
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
4
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
3

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
3 180 000
  • EMFF: 
    1 590 000
  • MS co-financing: 
    1 590 000
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    National and regional

Project examples

The FLAG intends to:

  • Strengthen the fishing and aquaculture industry in the Venetian lagoon, by supporting the setting up of cooperatives to manage shellfish farms, safeguard employment and promote small-scale fishing in the lagoon
  • Introduce innovative production systems for mari-culture
  • Support the development of some of the less commercial species of the area, including processing, labelling and local sales
  • Support fishermen and aquaculture operators in managing the marine space in line with the protection rules of the Maritime Spatial Planning for fisheries resources

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG is interested in:

  • Analysing the potential effects for fishermen and aquaculture operators after the introduction of the “Site of Community Importance in the Northern Adriatic (SIC marino Alto Adriatico);
  • Strengthening the resilience of ecosystems through the development and promotion of ecosystem services in the fisheries and aquaculture sector;
  • Developing integrated tourism packages (pesca-tourism and other activities related to fisheries activities) in the Adriatic;
  • Supporting local authorities in the management of discards at sea Northern Adriatic Fishing District, building on experience developed in a 2007-2013 cooperation project;
  • Improving the image of fishermen and aquaculture operators, and promotion of the fisheries communities.
Budget envisaged for cooperation: 
150000.00

Partnership

Accountable body: 
GAL VENEZIA ORIENTALE VeGAL
Members of the partnership: 

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.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
13
% of fisheries actors: 
46%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
54%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
7
% of public actors: 
43%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
4,00

Map

FLAG Contacts

GAL VENEZIA ORIENTALE VeGAL
 
Via Cimetta, 1
30026 Portogruaro (VE)
Italy
FLAG Manager:
Mr. Giancarlo Pegoraro
Phone:
+39 0421 394202
FLAG President:
Mr. Antonio Gottardo
Languages:
  • Italian (Mother tongue)
  • English (Basic)
  • French (Basic)
Publication date: 
16/05/2017
PDF Version