Small-scale and coastal fisheries

The FLAG area is located in the North East of Schleswig Holstein on the Baltic Sea and is crossed by the River Schlei and its estuary. Both on the coast and on the river, there is strong fisheries tradition here.

The FLAG North-West area is found along the coasts of counties Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim and comprises the 69 local electoral areas extending 10km from the coastline. Fishing and tourism are prominent within the coastal towns. There are 219 licenced registered fishing vessels in the area and 60% of these are day boats under eight metres in length.

The North East FLAG area covers the coast of counties Fingal, Meath and Louth. This area is home to almost 8% of the national fleet, the most important Razor Clam (Ensis siliqua) and Cockle (Cerastoderma edule) fisheries in Ireland, and the southern section of the of North Irish Sea Nephrop Ground. Aquaculture in this region is focused around Carlingford Lough and produces oysters and mussels.

The name of the coastal area of Costa da Morte (“Coast of Death”) refers to its partly rough and rocky shoreline. In between, the coastline which offers attractive beaches and areas of high environmental value. The FLAG has twelve small harbours which generate crucial employment for their immediate surroundings.

The Småøerne FLAG covers 11 islands scattered throughout the seas around Denmark. This is an important change as the FLAG previously covered all 27 islands of the Småøerne LEADER LAG. However, due to budget cuts for CLLD funding and an area reduction as outlined in the fisheries Operational Programme, the FLAG now focuses on specially designated areas experiencing both a decline in population and a decrease in fisheries employment.

The FLAG territory covers both the Ria de Muros e Noia and the Ria de Corcubión. The region has historically been highly dependent on fishing even though the sector has not reached the same importance as it has in the south of Galicia.

Scallop fishermen teamed up with scientists to study the possibility of cultivating Queen Scallops in the Vigo Estuary, diversifying their production method and improving the sustainability of their activity.

FLAG areas in Denmark are focused on the few remaining small-scale fisheries communities. As such, cooperation activities are expected to focus on supporting small-scale fisheries businesses, attracting young people to work in fisheries and diversifying activities.

Fishermen often find it difficult to obtain loans. Because they do not always fit the standard profile of a borrower, they can be categorised as ‘non-bankable’. Recent discussions with the local fishermen made clear the need for the FLAG to provide them with a more accessible credit system to help fund their initiatives.

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...