Adding value to fisheries

To support the economic revival of the local fishing sector following the COVID-19 crisis, the local fishing communities of the Hauts-de-France region have launched a weekly column in newspapers to promote their seafood products.

Through the MedAves Pesca project, the Oeste FLAG joined together with the Portuguese NGO SPEA to enable better communication and interaction with the fisheries sector. This joint project focused on adapting fisheries practices to avoid the death of seabirds while fishing in the Ilhas Berlengas area.

Online sales have generated new interest since the COVID-19 pandemic, giving a renewed boost to projects such as Cabaz do Peixe. This virtual platform to sell fish to the general public from the local artisanal fishing fleet ensures the delivery of fresh and high-quality products, as well as consumer safety

The Gargano LAG integrated the promotion of cultural and gastronomy heritage into their local development plan. This includes the development and promotion of the seafood sector. To do so, it supported the development of the Pesca Mia app, which connects the seafood sector, restaurants and private consumers.

COVID-19 paralysed many sectors of the economy in the Basque Country. Although the fisheries sector, like other food-producing sectors, was given priority during the pandemic, the lack of security and low-priced seafood could have forced many vessels and fishing organisations to stop working.

Thanks to business advice from Oeste FLAG and national financial support, a fisheries observer who wanted to change his career path has successfully started his own company in Portugal, working with marine plants called halophytes.

Two neighbouring FLAGs cooperate to support a mobile phone app, MonPêcheur, to connect local fishers with consumers by providing them with an online platform for communicating, promoting, and selling their catches directly to the consumer.

In an effort to support marine conservation and tackle marine litter, a fisherman and his two sisters in Catalonia (Spain) developed an app and launched a campaign to promote waste collection, while practicing group sports.

Keeping you up to date on efforts and actions carried out by FLAGs, National Networks and Managing Authorities to support the fisheries and aquaculture sector in EU Member States overcome the challenges presented by the coronavirus, COVID-19. Be sure to check this rolling coverage regularly to get inspiration for actions in your areas. And contact the FARNET Support Unit with any of your news.

Pillio FLAG is looking for partners from Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Spain, Portugal and France to create a transnational organisation (AKTES). The purpose of the organisation is the development and implementation a transnational quality agreement (pact) joining tourism stakeholders under a common strategy. The strategy aims to guarantee a minimum quality for products and services; improving the tourist offer of those areas; mitigating seasonality; and encouraging better incomes and working conditions for local communities in coastal areas.