Women

The Southern Artabro FLAG area spans approximately 340km2, has a population of 140 000 and comprises several NATURA 2000 Sites of Community Importance (SCI) such as Costa da Morte and Costa do Dexo.

The coastal area of the Mediterranean Pyrenees is defined by the presence of and connections between the land and sea, resulting in a remarkable geological, environmental and economic landscape. The area boasts strong tourist attractiveness, cultural and gastronomical traditions, and unique environmental assets which are monitored closely by local and national scientific research institutions.

The area is defined by the Ria Formosa (which covers five municipalities), a natural river system, structuring the landscape and ecological systems, which gives the Sotavento its own characteristics. The Eastern Algarve is home to the largest wetland in southern Portugal, 11,000 hectares large stretching along approximately 60 km of coastline between Ancão (Loulé) and Manta Rota (Vila Real de Santo António). It forms a lagoon-estuarine system with a wide area of marshes, islands and channels protected by robust sand ridges, which form two peninsulas (Ancão and Cacela) and five barrier islands (Barreta, Culatra, Armona, Tavira and Cabanas).

The FLAG is located on the Baltic sea coast. It has many valuable assets, in particular its nature, landscape and culture. The fisheries sector, together with tourism, play and important role in the economy.

The Posavje FLAG area is a geographically independent unit in the south-east of Slovenia which covers six municipalities and four urban centres.

The Golfo Ártabro Norte FLAG is situated in the northeast of Galicia. It includes ten municipalities located north of the (“Golfo”) Ártabro Bay, more specifically those around the rias of Betanzos, Ares and Ferrol. The territory has 10 landing points with basic facilities used daily by around 250 small-scale traditional fishing boats. In addition, shell fish gatherers are working in the tidal area of the beaches.

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.

What does social inclusion in fisheries communities mean to you? Grab your cameras and show us because we’re launching a photo competition! Submit your photograph before March 15th and you may just win to have your photograph be a focal point in the next FARNET Guide following the transnational seminar on “Social inclusion for vibrant fishing communities”.

A year prior to the launch of her Axis 4 supported research on social relationships and communication in fisheries communities, Monica Palladino was on holiday on the Costa Viola, a part of the Calabrian coast hosting several fisheries strongholds. There, she came to the conclusion that, if she was to understand the fishermen’s professional relationships, she would herself need to become part of their network...

Through cooperation with local fishermen and designers, and inspired by traditional techniques from other fishing communities in Europe, a young French entrepreneur has developed an innovative fish skin tanning process and now sells her “marine leather” to fashion designers all around the country.