With the second generation of FLAGs now up and running, there is a growing number of project examples from the past and the present which can inspire other actions aimed at developing fisheries and aquaculture areas around Europe, be it through economic, environmental or social support and investment. The project descriptions and short stories below give an insight into some of the local projects funded by the FLAGs, while the methods provide helpful examples of effective programme management, ranging from community outreach to FLAG self-assessment.
Governance, Fisheries resources, Integrated coastal management, Small-scale and coastal fisheries
Small-scale coastal fishers and fish farmers have been actively involved in the design of a coastal management plan for the Emilia-Romagna coastline. This stock management plan focused on three local high value species identified by the sector at regional level.
An Irish FLAG has supported a local, family aquaculture business that farms Gigas oysters to improve processing methods, reduce energy consumption and cut waste.
Marine activities, Environment, Marine litter, Small-scale and coastal fisheries, Education and training
The FISHEKO Operation, covering the whole coastline of Slovenia, is a project giving local fishers communication training and hiring them to carry out an awareness-raising campaign against single-use plastics in marine activities.
Arts and crafts, Gastronomy, Tourism, Small-scale and coastal fisheries, Society and culture, Cultural heritage
2020 m. Nesebero savivaldybė surengė pirmąjį „Rudens pasažų“ festivalį. Šio festivalio metu vietos bendruomenė ir turistai mėgavosi įvairiomis veiklomis, kurių tikslas – populiarinti Juodosios jūros žuvininkystės produktus, skatinti žvejybos profesiją bei saugoti jūrų paveldą.
Environment, Governance, Fisheries resources, Small-scale and coastal fisheries
With support from the FLAG, local fishers are helping enforce protection measures and halt poaching in the region’s oldest fisheries marine reserve, Cabo de Palos. Its improved protection has favoured an increase of endemic species.
A cooperation project between two Catalan FLAGs has supported the creation of an association, which aims to increase the visibility of women from fishing and aquaculture and improve their ability to develop business projects that help diversify the sector.
Environment, Fisheries resources, Small-scale and coastal fisheries
Through cooperation between the island government and the FLAG, the fishing sector in la Gomera has been involved in the study, location and design of a protocol for the removal of traps used for illegal fishing.
New technology, Traceability, Environment, Fisheries resources
The East Finland FLAG has supported the creation of a mobile app for Finnish inland fishers to register their catches. Developed by a University of Applied Sciences and introduced in May 2020, the tool will enhance catch-data collection and traceability along the fisheries value chain.
Business support, New technology, Diversification, Marine activities, Tourism
Despite experiencing environmental strain, the Limfjord has an abundance of sea trout. This species is very attractive to anglers. A FLAG-LAG cooperation project addresses local economic and environmental goals by creating a new tourist location based on recreational fishing.
Business support, Diversification, Pesca-tourism, Tourism, Cultural heritage, Education and training, Women
The ‘Mar das Illas’ cooperation project sees three FLAGs in the Pontevedra province working together to support local fishers and families in their entrepreneurial efforts focused on marine and pesca-tourism.