Youth

Local fisheries communities from France, Italy and Tunisia will be sharing ideas on sustainable economic diversification, thanks to a new cooperation project run by the Etruscan Coast FLAG in Tuscany (IT).

--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020-- The main population centres are primarily located towards the coastal fringes in the larger towns of Ayr, Troon and Girvan, with fishing an important industry in these towns. There are many coastal communities in North Ayrshire, some of which are viewed as relatively affluent areas and locations for retirement. The economy is largely based on tourism, including sailing.

A response to low awareness and understanding of fisheries sees a concerted effort to strengthen educational work on the fishing industry along the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony, using different locations for an enhanced learning experience.

Cuan Beo was set up by community members living and working near Galway bay, who were cognisant of a general decline in the quality of the famous shellfish producing waters in the Bay.

The North of Tyne FLAG has linked up with a local food NGO to deliver a programme aimed at inspiring young trainee chefs to use more seafood. The initiative is focused on raising the awareness and profile of local and lesser-known fisheries products, while also tackling youth unemployment.

To promote the local shellfish activity and its products, a FLAG redevelops an area overlooking the bay where its cockle pickers work and installs a shallow outdoor pool for kids, heated with excess hot water from the nearby leisure centre.

FLAG cooperation in Finland’s EMFF programme is considered to be a way of bringing new ideas and innovations to the country in order to address some specific challenges. In particular, cooperation is sought to increase the profitability of small-scale coastal fisheries and make the sector attractive as a career for young people, as well as combatting the issues posed by seals and cormorants in fishing communities. However, cooperation is not limited and other ideas and networking can be developed among the FLAGs.

Cooperation in Estonia will focus on three main areas: joint marketing, knowledge transfer and promotion of fisheries and maritime activities.

The Utena FLAG is situated to the east of Lithuania and is close to the Latvian border. The area has a naturally rich environment and comprises many lakes, forests, ponds, rivers, and streams and is a popular destination for national and international tourists. There are 182 lakes throughout the region making it a popular destination for water sports, cultural excursions and eco-tourism.

The Zarasai and Visaginas region local action group is located in the north-east of Lithuania, in Utena county, on the border with Latvia and Belarus. The LAG territory is extremely rich in nature and pine woodland occupies nearly 30% of the LAG territory (around 51 thousand ha). 12.2% of the area is covered by around 300 water bodies. The total area of water bodies is about 13 000 ha.