Processing

With a population increase of over 20% between 1999 and today, the area’s strong demographic dynamics concern both the coast and the hinterland and impact its entire economy. The maritime identity of the area is strong and sustains many economic sectors: port activities, tourism, sailing, fishing, marine aquaculture, etc.

Fisheries activities have been long rooted in the FLAG area and, present in both its coastal waters and lagoons, are still closely associated with the local heritage. Indeed, it is the second French Mediterranean production area, hosting both fishing activities and shellfish farming.

With its 460km of coastline, made up of harbours, bays, cliffs and long beaches, the West Normandy FLAG area has a wealth of coastal resources. It is an area with an important primary sector and a high production of fish and shellfish.

The FLAG is located in the southeast of Galati county. Apart from the Danube, the FLAG area also includes two main rivers, the Prut and the Siret, lakes and ponds. Fishing here is mainly small-scale and inland.

The FLAG area includes mountains, farmland, forest landscapes and an extensive archipelago. The Torne River, which runs through the FLAG’s territory, is Europe's largest unspoiled continuous waterway and is the main spawning site for wild salmon in the Bothnian Sea.

The Aveiro FLAG coincides with the Aveiro lagoon (“Ria de Aveiro”), the biggest lagoon in Portugal (60km long and 25km wide) which is a 'Bird Directive Site' included in the European Natura 2000 network. Several small-scale fishing communities can be found in five municipalities along the coast and lagoon (Ovar, Murtosa, Aveiro, Ílhavo and Vagos).

The Saaremaa FLAG covers the islands of western Estonia in Saare county, with exception of Hiiumaa which has its own FLAG. The biggest islands in the Saaremaa FLAG area are Saaremaa, Muhu, Ruhnu, and Abruka ja Vilsandihe.

Located in the south-west of Estonia, the FLAG area is situated around the Pärnu Gulf. The largest of the Estonian counties, Pärnu geographically covers 10.6% of the Estonian mainland and a total of 177 islands; of which only two, Kihnu and Manija, are inhabited.

Hiiumaa is a beautiful un-spoilt island in the Baltic sea to the west of Estonia which can be reached in about 90 minutes by ferry from the mainland. The FLAG area consists of Hiiumaa island and a number of small islets surrounding it which together form the county of Hiiu. This county is divided into five municipalities, of which four are part of the FLAG.

Rügen is an island in the Baltic Sea and the largest in Germany. It is known for its beaches and white chalk cliffs which span coastline of approximately 574 kilometres. The island is also well-known for the Jasmund National Park which his home to primeval beech forests and white-tailed eagles.