Infrastructure

The FLAG territory is in the south-east planning region of Bulgaria. The region has a strong fisheries tradition, though fisheries jobs only account for approximately 1% of the area’s total employment. However, many local fishers also engage in other occupations and activities such as tourism and services.

The FLAG territory includes 45km of the Black Sea coast in Varna Province, equating to approximately 13% of the Bulgarian Black Sea coastline. The leading industries in the area are tourism and agriculture. Fisheries in the region are small-scale and important in the local population – roughly 5% of the economically active population are engaged in fisheries.

The FLAG territory has two geographically distinct areas, the coastal region to the east and the Dobrudzha plateau to the west. Fishing in the coastal areas, on the Black Sea, is traditional activity and important to the livelihood of many local communities. Fisheries are predominantly small-scale, accounting for approximately 90% of the sectors total employment.

The fishing organisation of Bustio has become the first in Spain to become self-sufficient in renewable energy for its on land operations. By making an environmental commitment to reduce carbon emissions, it is saving around €10 000 a year on electricity.

Puise has become a thriving coastal fishing port in Läänemaa after a regeneration project supported by the local FLAG.

A new FLAG supports the fusion of gastronomy, “eating local” and fisheries heritage by supporting an atypical restaurant in the port of Gandía.

The FLAG covers the Pazardzhik rural area but excludes the city of Pazardzhik. The landscape is mostly flat with some mountainous landscapes to the south. Running through the territory is the Maritsa River. Along the Maritsa are several micro dams and six aquaculture companies which are small enterprises using intensive floating cage techniques.

The Tri Mora FLAG is situated in the central part of Adriatic coast in Zadar County, under the Velebit mountain range and stretching over the Velebit channel.

The FLAG’s territory extends along the west coast and in the inland part of the Istrian peninsula. As the FLAG area includes some of the most popular tourist destinations of the Upper Adriatic, tourism is the most important economic activity, relying on highly developed hotel and private sector capacities.

The FLAG is situated in the western part of Lithuania, near the Curonian Lagoon. The region is well known for covering a large variety of water bodies and is aptly called ‘the land of four waters’ as a result. As well as the Curonian Lagoon, these waters also include the Baltic Sea it is surrounded by the Baltic Sea and several lakes, rivers, ponds, quarries suitable for recreational fishing.