Small-scale and coastal fisheries

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.

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.

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.

A coastal fisherman in Western Estonia has redeveloped his fish shop, allowing fresh fish to be processed locally for the first time, while also creating jobs.

By engaging local fishermen in the development and testing of environmentally-friendly fish traps, the Baltic Sea FLAG is paving the way for sustainable fisheries along its coast in a wider context of adding value to the local catch.

This study forms an understanding of the representation of women working in FLAG areas and assesses the level and types of support FLAGs provide to these women. The findings add to the wider understanding of the number and roles of women working in the fisheries and aquaculture industry and analyses how FLAG support to women varies and is implemented. FLAG support to women is defined as (1) a project with a female project promotor, when the project is privately invested and/or (2) other FLAG activities where the primary objective is the support of the women in the FLAG area.

FLAG Mangalia Litoral is in the south-east of Romania. The territory borders Bulgaria to the south and the Black Sea to the east and is characterised by coastal cliffs, coastlines and low floodplains.

The Dobrogea South FLAG is situated in the south-eastern part of Romania, in the historical Dobrogea province. The area is bordered to the south by Bulgaria and to the east by the Black Sea.

The FLAG is covered by three mainland municipalities (Follonica, Piombino and Scarlino) and one island (Isola di Capraia), and is situated in the northern Tyrrhenian coast of Italy. While traditional fisheries are still carried on by small fleets in the region, aquaculture has increased significantly over the last decade in terms of workers involved and impact on the economy.

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