The Coastal Action Groups. New opportunities for coastal areas in Galicia

Seminar for Polish Fisheries Local Action GroupsNovember 17-18, 2009

Rosa Chapela Head of Socioeconomics Fisheries Department

CETMAR (SPAIN)

The fishing sector in Galicia. Some data

Area: 29.574 sq2Population (2009): 2.794.796 GNP (2007; miles €): 55.850.325 Unemployment rate, annual average (2008): 8,7 %

SUBSECTOR Number of Employments

Fisheries, Shellfish gathering and Aquaculture 24.535

Commercialization 6.730

Cannery Industry 12.000

Processing and Frozen Industry 8.000

Auxiliary companies 28.000

Total 79.265

FISHING FLEET Spain Galicia% GALICIA/ Spain

TOTAL 11.510 6.130 53,26%

Activity Nº

Rafts 3.515

Mussels culture 3.337

Oysters culture 107

Polyculture 71

Marine Farms 22

Flat fish 20

Molluscs 2

Hatcheries 17

Culture areas for molluscs (PARQUES DE CULTIVO (MOLUSCOS) 1.190

TOTAL 4.744

aquaculture

Small-scale fisheries in GaliciaProblems

Overfishing and fisheries crises

Captures reduction

Increasing fuel cost

Fall prices on fish products

Fragmented sector (individualizing, endogamy: rejection to involve people beyond their fisheries group…

Poaching

Littoral use conflicts

Depopulation in coastal areas. Lack of generational relief

Lost of marine culture

Small-scale fisheries in Galiciastrengths and opportunities

Strong innovative capacity

Support and aids for diversification and looking for complementary and alternative activities.

Tradition and maritime culture in coastal areas

Changes in fisheries sector: from a “pasive” model to an “active” model creating ideas and projects.

Collaboration with other entities (universities, centers of research, etc)

Key challenges for fisheries areas in Galicia

Encouraging economic diversification (directing investments towards the tourist fishing sector, the cultural sector, the environmental sector, etc)

To maintain the population level and the rates of employment

This strategy is based on the promotion of alternative economic activities, like those of tourist-fishing (in which we have to act so that they can be set up and managed by the fishing organizations) and to promote the coordinated policies on tourism and the environment, as well as other activities that will allow diversification of this sector

Improve the systems that promote equal opportunities amongst men and women

To guarantee the conservation of the natural, cultural and historical heritage of these areas

Key challenges for fisheries areas in Galicia

Revitalization and management of all the integral development processes of the fishing areas in decline

Encouraging networking

The implementation of community and transnational networks which will unite all the protagonists of sustainable rural development areas together with those of the fisheries so as to manage and exchange their experience of good practices

Key challenges for fisheries areas in Galicia

A new and different vision of fisheries founds: both, the actions and the beneficiaries

Direct participation of entities or local groups representing different socioeconomic sectors

A land-sea strategy: looking for the socioeconomic development of fisheries communities where fisheries professional lives.

Encouraging the innovation and diversification for fishermen and women

professionals to promote a local development

Coastal Action Group (CAGs)

CAGs Selection Criteria

Low population density

Small Fisheries villages

Application of “coefficient of growth”: (fleet, power, landings, fisheries population..)

Seven selected areas

GALICIA

40 Million Euros

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

25%

25%

CAG nº5: Ria de Arousa

13 municipalities

157.000 inhabitants

455 km2

17% active population dedicated to fisheries

Social stakeholders

Economic sector

Fihseries sector

Local administration

Gacs Composition: Participation model

Local Action Group50%

CAGs Composition

As a consequence of the EFF rules, the fisheries sector will have a clear strong position in the CAG Executive Committee, representing up to 50% of the votes.

Legislation for CAG’s setting up process in Galicia establish -as mandatory- that fisheries sector (fisheries, aquaculture and shellfish gathering) representing up to the 50% of total votes in LAG

CAG compositionEach of the sectors with the following representation (example in

Galicia):

a) Twelve representatives from the fisheries, shellfish and aquaculture sector.

b) Three social representatives:i. Two representatives from the socio-cultural, sporting, ecological, leisureand educative associations.ii. A representative from the women´s associations

c) Six financial representativesi. Three trade union representativesii. Three representatives from the businessmen´s and other financial agentsassociations.

d) Three representatives from local Public Administrations and organizations dependent on the Public Sector.

The strategy and process of setting up axis 4 groups in

Galicia. What worked well and what to avoid. Messages for

Poland

The strategy and process of setting up axis 4 groups in Galicia

Phase 1:

Identification of stakeholders in coastal areas (fisheries, private companies, tourism, sport, cultural, women, associations…

Phase 2

setting up diffusion, communication and disclosure actions by the interested parties in the different sectors with the objective of detecting the necessary predispositions from other organizations who are interested in forming part of the future GAC.

Example: congresses communicating the initiative directed at letting people know about Coastal Action Groups and what their objectives are, sending out letters to organizations that are likely to take part, etc.send information about Axis 4th EFF and LAGs

To asses and encourage the process in order to set up one group in each eligible area and capacity building support

The strategy and process of setting up axis 4 groups in Galicia

Previous meetings with fisheries sector in order to inform them this new funding strategy and approach

Working with fisheries sector in workshops: capacity building support

Inform them about what kind of projects can be develop in Axis 4th EFF framework

The strategy and process of setting up axis 4 groups in Galicia

Phase 3

After the diffusion phase and once the interested parties in participating in the association process have been identified, they should formalize their relationship by signing an agreement so that they can formalize their identity as an association.

Example: In the case of associations, corporations, trade unions etc. these should adopt an agreement of a pledge of association ratified by their appropriate body. If this were the case of local administrations, (Councils, deputations, etc.), this agreement should be adopted at an appropriate full meeting, so that it can be ratified.

The strategy and process of setting up axis 4 groups in Galicia

Phase 4: Strategic Area Plan

Parallel to phases 2 and 3, it was useful to start the necessary actions to carry out the constitution of a mixed working team, made up from the representatives of the organizations that make up the association and technical staff with experience in the management and participation of European or of local development programmes, so that they can guarantee the elaboration of a Strategic Area Plan (SAP)

The strategy and process of setting up axis 4 groups in Galicia

Phase 5

constituent session which will give the association authority to approve the Strategic Area Plan (SAP).

Formal presentation of the candidature, which is the final step of this process.

CAGs are selected by Ministry of Fisheries

Founding actStatutes

Strategic Area Plan

CAGs: what can be done? Promote and programme actions regarding with the diversification of

activities through multiple promotion of jobs for the fishermen: creation of additional jobs away from the fisheries sector, like for

example tourist activities on board boats

To encourage, promote, programme and collaborate in actions directed at finding added value to fisheries, shellfish and aquaculture products

To promote informative and public awareness measures, the fisheries sector being promoted as the main group, and primarily aimed at women, young people and disadvantaged groups linked to this aforementioned sector

The CAG have a network of links and contacts with other associations or groups, so that they can promote synergy in the acting territory.

the CAG should be the ones who cooperate and coordinate with the Rural Development Groups (RDG), which are groups created under the umbrella of the European LEADER programme, which pursues similar aims in the rural areas

Priority axis for CAGs’ activities: mandatory

1. Boost the fisheries sector competitiveness: specially through the marketing improvement

2. Economic promotion: job creation through diversification

3. Improving natural environment and quality

4. Promotion of social cohesion

5. Promotion of new technologies

6. Promotion of cooperation and participation

1.300.000€

4.300.000€

2.700.000€

900.000€

333.000€

CAG nº 3 :10.000.000€

20% managing

Tools Web page www.accioncosteira.es

Candidature Guide for CAGs

Guide for Project’ promoters

Communication and dissemination Guide

Guide for Law of data protection compliance .

Software for managing projects.

Example of initiatives

IniciativasAREAS restructurin

gProduction and new products

New models organization

MarketingFishing Tourism

Maritimeculture

DIVERSIFICATION

Mar de Lira: integrated offer Fisheries organization initiative

Fishing Tourism: self-confidence

Sustainable Fisheries

Marketing by fishermen: i.e. Shop market in an old and traditional market in Madrid: Mercado de San Miguel

Rebuilding an old ship scripping and used by nautical activities (training, cetacean watching, routes…)

Agreements with restaurants in the community: products of the sea

Agreements with travel agencies: Jubilee; Costa da Morte-Santiago de Compostela

Mar de Lira: integrated offer

1. Andar ao mar (Going to the sea): Rutas Shellfish gathering women route Marine Protected Area Route Harbour Route Shipwreck Route Ethnographic Route

2. Workshops for children: Fisheries workshop

Mar de Lira: integrated offer3.- Fishing tourism

Participating in a fishing day Working with fishermen from 7:00

am to 15:00 pm

4.- Sports fishing Knowing the fishermen skills Know the species of the area. To respect strictly sizes,

forbidding places, catches. Enjoying the sport fishing taking

care with the marine environment.

Cooperating in fisheries conservation

Sustainable fisheries and

Coastal community

development

Marine Protected

Area

Sea urchin fishing Women

cooperative

Organization

MarketingFish Shop “San Miguel’

Market”

Fishing - Tourism

Lira

Quality brandMarine

protected Area Fish

Economic development in Coastal communities

New products: barnacle pâte and barnacle canned

Integral management of barnacle fisheries

Cofradías of Baiona, A Guarda y Bueu Increase the added value of no king-size barnacle in markets New market search and new exploitation models

New exploitation plan (co-management)

Set up a company (integrated by fishermen and fisherwomen)

Elaboration of recipes with barnacle

Brand creation

Rent/Buy a processed factory for canning and barnacle pâte

Lonxanet Company for direct selling and distribution of Galician

fisheries products. Integrated by 4 Galician Cofradias and using Internet as selling channel.

a) Fisheries Association of Cedeira; lira, Cangas and Muxía.

b) Private investors

50% of the benefits are used to social, economic and environmental projects into the small-scale fisheries sector

Why lonxanet and why online sales?Ports far away from marketsCollusion in First-Price AuctionsFall prices in fisheries productsBusiness opportunity

Lonxanet

LonxanetObjectives:

Dignify the fishermen professionPromoting a sustainable fisheriesBoosting the responsible marketingWorking for a more healthy and biodivers sea

Results:

- Improving the marketing, reducing the number of links in the chain between producer and consumers

- Improving the incomes in first sales by fishermen- Open new markets- Job creation (5)- Creation of a Sustainable Fisheries Foundation- More high prices- Traceability, quality and freshness on products

Ano Volume de vendas Facturación Incremento2006 50.000 kg 600.000 €2008 640.000 € 7%

Lonxanet

Restauration and recovery of ships

“Un barco tradicional es inseparable de la historia local a

la que pertenece y es testigo de las aguas en las que ha navegado, por lo que la zona en la que navegó el barco tendría inseparábel da historia local á que pertence i é testemuña das augas nas que ten navegado”

Conferencia Europeo Maritime HeritageEnkhuizen 2003“Carta europea para a conservación dos barcos tradicionais”

Actions Alternatives to fisheries activity: socioeconomic diversification

Marketing and increasing added value of fisheries products

Tourism and fisheries services

Environmental protection

Experiences to reinforce the coastal community and its identity

Maritime and cultural heritage conservation

Projects focused on cooperation land-sea

Positive interaction with other economic, social and cultural activities in the community

Interregional and transnational cooperation.

Collective capacities for preparing local development strategies.

Type of projects in Galician GACs“Flavours of our Sea”

Maritime and Fisheries initiatives

Platform for promotion and dissemination of fishing-tourism activities in coastal area

Routes and Gastronomic offer

Maritime sports services: diving, restaurant/gastronomy industry or services, sightseeing, cultural services

Restoring a fish canning industry for fisheries training centre

Restoring fishermen houses for tourism houses or accommodation

Setting up a company to offer cultural and leisure services linked with fisheries and maritime culture (routes, birds and cetacean watching, diving, surfing, etc…

Gastronomy or food school or training: restaurant specialized in fisheries products….

Infrastructures to arrange the littoral for walking…

Infrastructures for fishing and storing fish

Elegible Non elegible

TO DO TO AVOID

Meetings and workshops with fisheries sector

Too fast setting up process

Training courses for Group’s promoters of CAG

Leadership by local authorities

Training for LAGs Up-bottom strategy instead of bottom-up strategy

Leading to concrete projects Political instrumentalization

Encourage the fisheries sector participation

Use the EFF funds for investment projects in public infrastructure

Participatory process to engage coastal community: ensuring a balanced representation of other local interest

Good Strategic Action Plan with actions to be develop

Dziękuję za uwagę

Rosa Chapela PérezHead of Socioeconomic Fisheries Department CETMARrchapela@cetmar.orgwww.cetmar.org

Thank you for your kind attention