FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

Good Practice Project

EcoExplorer, marine mammal observation in the Algarve

Official Title: 
Observação de Cetáceos no Algarve
Country:
Coming from a long-established fishing family, André felt it was time to innovate their ways of utilizing the sea. He’s managed to do just that by setting up marine discovery tours in his traditional fishing village of Ferragudo, Portugal. Today, he shares his passion and knowledge of the local environment with the region’s tourists.

Description

Coming from a long-established fishing family, André felt it was time to innovate their ways of utilizing the sea. He’s managed to do just that by setting up marine discovery tours in his traditional fishing village of Ferragudo, Portugal. Today, he shares his passion and knowledge of the local environment with the region’s tourists.

Like many sons born into fishing families, André began fishing on his father’s boat at the young age of 14. This sparked his ever-growing curiosity for the marine environment and he went on to study marine biology. His professional career began with his family’s fishing business but André wanted to find an alternative way of making a living with a new business activity linked to the marine environment.

André decided to set up a company dedicated to the discovery of the local marine environment with a focus on cetacean observation. Thanks to the support of the FLAG, he acquired his first boat designed to bring tourists out at sea and observe marine life.

Results: 

At first, André, along with a retired fisherman, operated his boat on behalf of other companies offering marine life watching tours. Now, with an additional two boats, André has his own integrated company (www.wildwatch.pt) offering comprehensive packages to tourists that include marine life watching, angling, kayaking and snorkelling tours. Wildwatch welcomes between 8000 to 10 000 tourists per year and employs three people full time and another three work nine months out of the year.  Four other persons are needed in the summertime which coincides with the area’s low fishing season, meaning local fishermen are often eager to fill these seasonal positions.

Transferability: 

Fishermen and their families have in-depth knowledge of their local environment. In this respect, they are uniquely placed to use this knowledge as an asset to set up such new or complementary activities.

Lessons & contribution to CLLD objectives: 
  • Lessons: The FLAG’s support was instrumental in kick-starting André’s operations, now a fully-fledged independent business. In this sense, FLAG support can be considered as seed capital. André highlights that a strong emphasis on awareness raising and conservation ensures the sustainability of his activities and business.
  • Contribution to CLLD objective: supporting diversification inside or outside commercial fisheries,  lifelong learning and job creation in fisheries and aquaculture areas

Funding

Total project cost €89 046
FLAG grant €53 428
  • EU contribution (EMFF): €40 071
  • Public contribution (national): €13 357
Beneficiary contribution €35 618

Project information

Timeframe of implementation From Jan 2011
Sea Basins
Type of area
Theme

Beneficiary

Wildwatch

Visuals

Contact details

FLAG Contacts

Ms. Lina Oliveira
+351 282 482 889
Portugal
Publication date: 
11/05/2017
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