Society and culture

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.

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.

Ostrobothnia is narrow coastal area which forms part of the Kvarken archipelago. This archipelago of rocks and boulder clay was formed during the last ice-age, about 10 000 years ago and is subject to isostatic uplift of about 1 cm per year or 1 m per century.

The FLAG territory covers both the Ria de Muros e Noia and the Ria de Corcubión. The region has historically been highly dependent on fishing even though the sector has not reached the same importance as it has in the south of Galicia.

FARNET's fourth transnational seminar of the 2014-2020 programming period took place on 21-23 March 2017 in Jūrmala, Latvia. The theme of the event was "Social inclusion for vibrant fisheries communities". The seminar provided a framework for discussions and practical exercises based on successful cases from the EFF/EMFF, additional EU funding instruments, as well as further initiatives aimed at social inclusion.

The Marennes Oléron FLAG covers a rural and coastal territory whose natural and agricultural landscapes represent 85% of the area (40% of which are marshes). Tourism and primary sector activities are important components of the local economy, along with services and commercial activities.