Diversification

The FLAG area consists of six municipalities and 11 communities. It covers the districts of Larnaca and Famagusta in the eastern part of Cyprus and represents 5.6% of the total area and 19.5% of the total coastline of the country. Fishing is an important activity in the area, with 4.3% of its workforce employed in the primary sector, 67% of which work in fishing.

The North East FLAG area covers the coast of counties Fingal, Meath and Louth. This area is home to almost 8% of the national fleet, the most important Razor Clam (Ensis siliqua) and Cockle (Cerastoderma edule) fisheries in Ireland, and the southern section of the of North Irish Sea Nephrop Ground. Aquaculture in this region is focused around Carlingford Lough and produces oysters and mussels.

The name of the coastal area of Costa da Morte (“Coast of Death”) refers to its partly rough and rocky shoreline. In between, the coastline which offers attractive beaches and areas of high environmental value. The FLAG has twelve small harbours which generate crucial employment for their immediate surroundings.

The FLAG area covers the six coastal municipalities of the region of Murcia in southern Spain. It stretches over 312km of coastline and includes the biggest saltwater lagoon in the Mediterranean, the Mar Menor. The local economy is based strongly on tourism in the north of the area, especially around the Mar Menor.

This FLAG area covers the municipality of Thisted (the area around the town of Thy), situated on the north-west coast of Jutland, and the municipality of Morsø (the island of Mors) located in the Limfjord. Thy and Mors are characterised by a few large manufacturing companies with expertise in health technology and robotics, and more traditional production companies in the metal, wood, and food industries.

Jammerbugt is situated in the north of the Jutland peninsula. Coastal fishing boats from the Jammerbugt area mostly operatie in the Thorup Strand (Skagerrak). At the Limfjord side of the FLAG area there are several communities with small ports which function mainly as bases for recreational fishing. There are many activities related to tourism in the wider coastal area.

The Småøerne FLAG covers 11 islands scattered throughout the seas around Denmark. This is an important change as the FLAG previously covered all 27 islands of the Småøerne LEADER LAG. However, due to budget cuts for CLLD funding and an area reduction as outlined in the fisheries Operational Programme, the FLAG now focuses on specially designated areas experiencing both a decline in population and a decrease in fisheries employment.

The FLAG is located along one of Sweden's four national rivers famous for salmon and trout fishing, both by professional fishermen and recreational anglers. The Vindel river system is one of the best protected Swedish rivers. Fishing in the area (especially for trout and salmon) is regulated in different ways by national rules.

The area is situated in the north-eastern part of Pomerania, in the Kaszuby Lake district. There are over 100 lakes and several rivers, the total surface of waters is over 6,000 hectares (nearly 5% of the FLAG area). Most of the lakes are owned by the state, others are rented by small family businesses which carry out extensive fish production.

The Arcachon – Val de l’Eyre basin is a semi-closed bay where many marine activities take place, and in particular tourism, which is the key activity for the local economy. Fisheries and aquaculture are also important sectors in the area.