Unusually for Ireland, the FLAG area has a relatively strong urban structure with 22 settlements falling into the aggregate urban area category of over 1,500 inhabitants (14 of which are at close proximity to the coast).
The FLAG area consists of a combination of mountainous and coastal landscapes. It possesses Greece’s largest lagoon (the Messolonghi lagoon). Most of the fishing activity is small-scale and traditional and takes place in the Messolonghi lagoon.
The FLAG area is found on the southern-most peninsula of mainland Greece. Within the area we find fish farms, small-scale fishing enterprises and businesses involved in pesca-tourism activities.
In Malaga, small-scale artisanal fishing accounts for the overwhelming majority of the local fleet. However, high fuel prices and low quality of boat engines have been threatening the future of small-scale sustainable fishing in the area.
The FLAG area comprises the lagoons of Vistonida, Ismarida, Porto Lagos, Aliki, Ptelea, Xirolimni and Karatza, parts of the Nestos and Kompsatos river basins and the coastline of Rodopi and Xanthi prefectures (up to 10 km inland).
The Bothhian Sea and Lake Pyhäjärvi FLAG from the south of Finland is open to cooperation ideas. The FLAG has long-term experience in lake fisheries and in the development of fisheries with a strong link to water quality management.
