FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network
FLAG Factsheet
The FLAG area consists of four municipalities on the western coast of Jutland. They vary strongly in terms of population and economic activity. The region has both small and large-scale fisheries activities.
Offshore activities such as oil drilling and wind power are also important here. There are many small companies, that provide services for the fishery sector as well as these other off-shore activities. Tourism is also an important business in this area.
The four municipalities have different demographic challenges. In some areas people are moving towards larger cities, while this is not the case in other areas, such as Esbjerg, a town of over 100,000 inhabitants
The average age is rising in many areas as younger people move away. This also decreases the overall population. This is a threat to smaller companies who may not be able to recruit people with relevant skills in the future. A lack of coordination and cooperation between small companies in the area has been identified as another weakness.
The main protected areas are Ramsar and Natura 2000 areas at the Wadden Sea coast in the south of the FLAG area and in and around the fjords further north.
The FLAG aims to further strengthen the economic potential of the area by:
National and provincial
One project envisages the conversion of a fishing boat, so that it can fish crabs to ensure supply to a factory that focuses on processing and selling them. There is strong potential in the project as it focuses on a key area off the strategy: which is strengthening all stages of production along the food chain.
Another project is envisaged to provide secure platforms for anglers and service facilities such as fish cleaning. Tourism being one of the focus in the strategy, angling is perceived as having a great potential.
A project at the ports in the FLAG area is aimed at attracting more foreign fishing vessels to get them to use more of the facilities there such as pilotage and repair etc. The ports are widely considered to be some of the most significant resources in the realisation of the overall strategy.
All LAGs and FLAGs in Denmark use the online system PROMIS, and applications can be received at any time. It can be accessed on the website.
The Danish Managing Authority examines the applications three times a year: January, March and September indicatively.
Vestjylland FLAG cooperates with Lemvig, Ringkøbing-Skjern and Struer-Holstebro LAGs and other relevant LEADER Groups in Denmark.
Vestjylland FLAG is made up of different members of the maritime business in the area, LEADER groups, local associations and two public authorities.