Gouvernance

The FLAG is located on the Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein. It covers the eastern part of the Wagrien peninsula and Fehmarn, the third biggest island in Germany. Fehmarn is linked to the mainland by the Fehmarnsund bridge and has the most used ferry connection for both the Germans and Danes to the nearby port of Rødby on the island of Falster in Denmark, lying on the Hamburg-Copenhagen axis.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- The FLAG area is distinguished by its intrinsic remoteness and natural beauty, illustrated by the high number of wildlife and landscape designations along the coast. The FLAG covers approximately 290 miles (467km) of coastline from Cairnryan in the East to Gretna in the West and includes the port at Kirkcudbright is which is in the top 20 UK ports by catch value.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- The Outer Hebrides is a chain of more than 100 islands and skerries located about 70 kilometres north west of mainland Scotland, of which 15 are inhabited. The Outer Hebrides Fisheries Area is defined using the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Local Authority area which is has the same boundaries as many other organisations including the Outer Hebrides Inshore Fisheries Group.

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- Orkney is made up of 70 islands, 18 of which are inhabited. Orkney is both a rural and island community, and economy, in an extremely peripheral location off the North coast of Scotland, which gives rise to a unique mix of opportunities and challenges. The whole of the Orkney Islands’ are included in the FLAG area.

The Gribskov FLAG area is situated in the north of the island of Sealand. It includes the city of Gilleleje, a lively commercial centre, which is home to the region’s largest fishing port and only fish auction. The city is also an important visitor destination, with tourism and fishing being the main economic sectors in the FLAG area. Except for herring, all the fish landed in the area is exported and not processed locally.

The FLAG is situated in the central part of Latvia close to the capital city – Riga. It covers around 75 km of the coastline along the Gulf of Riga. The area has notable inland water sources like the Engure, Kaņieris, Sloka and Valgums lakes. The coastal area has a well-developed fish processing (14 enterprises that employ around 800 people) and tourism sectors (66 enterprises that count for over 200 jobs).

The Northern Kurzeme FLAG is located in northwest Latvia. The area is bordered by a 144 km stretch of the Baltic coast, from the parish of Jurkalne to the Cape of Kolka, and 12 km of the coastline around the Gulf of Riga. It includes Ventspils, one of the nine development centres of national significance in Latvia. There are two important fishing ports – Roja and Ventspils.

Fishing is an important and profitable activity in the FLAG area, especially along the main section of the Kymijoki River. Fish farming is also an important economic activity, with a strong tradition in the area. The existence of local centres of population, as well as the proximity of the Helsinki metropolitan region, guarantees a consistent demand for fish products.

Lapland is the northernmost part of the EU. During long winters (usually six months) the lakes are covered with a 60-80 cm thick layer of ice. The population density is very low, and the number of inhabitants is declining in most areas. The unemployment rates are high, between 13-18%. Tourism is flourishing, however, providing a growing market for local products.

This guide is composed of six factsheets, including real-life examples, designed to help FLAGs ensure better results through developing strategic objectives, selecting indicators and setting targets, collecting data and managing information, and adopting a results-oriented approach in all activities of the FLAG.