Fisheries by-products

Maritime activities (fishing, aquaculture, harbour and nautical activities) are at the heart of the economy of the FLAG area which also includes renewable marine energies, coastal agriculture (mainly vegetables), and strong tourism activities based on remarkable landscapes. The territory features a very active cultural life.

Lake Vänern is the largest lake in Sweden. Challenges for the region include an ageing population, particularly in fisheries communities.

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 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.

The Harju FLAG area covers 530km of coastline along the Gulf of Finland and features numerous peninsulas and bays. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is situated centrally in the area and offers local producers access to a substantial market. Tallinn also draws a relatively young workforce to the area and offers wide-ranging tourism opportunities.

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.

The South FLAG area covers the coast of County Cork including seven West Cork Islands, from the Kerry–Cork boundary West of Lauragh, in Kerry to the river at Youghal. The fleet in the area is distributed across many small harbours and piers all along the coast.

The FLAG area covers the coast of the Gulf of Finland from Hanko to Virolahti and is well known locally for its beautiful archipelago. The regions fishing tradition, fishing methods, and operational culture have been and remain relatively uniform. There are approximately 110 full-time and 200 part-time professional fishers respectively and the area has five operational fish farms.

The area has a strong historical, geographic and cultural identity, both rural and maritime. The Auray and Vannes area has been shaped by maritime activities for decades.

The FLAG area is situated on the Atlantic coast and has a strong maritime history and attractive environment. With cities such as La Rochelle and the island of Ré, the area is a stronghold for marine tourism, blue growth and maritime economy.