BIM to Fund and Co-ordinate FLAG Activities
BIM to Fund and Co-ordinate FLAG Activities
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) welcomes the North-East Region’s Fisheries Local Action Group Serving and representing the coastal community that spans from Omagh, Co Louth to Dublin’s Loughshinny, the North-East FLAG is a new EU-Fisheries Fund-backed initiative that encourages local coastal communities to take responsibility for developing and implementing strategies in response to locally-identified needs and priorities. Funding for the Irish FLAGs is administered by BIM.
Back Row (L-R) Johnny Woodlock, Irish Seal Sanctuary; Rory Keogh, Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce; Ronan Faulkner, Potting; Leo Melia, Cockles; Lenny Clifford, Seafood Business; John Hickey, BIM
Front Row (L-R)
Ciaran Gallagher,Inshore; Paul Boyd, Prawns and whitefish; Catherine Barrett, BIM; Sadie Ward McDermott, Louth VEC; Hans Visser, Fingal Tourism and Garret O’Brien
Commenting for BIM, Catherine Barrett, the North East FLAG’s co-ordinator said:
“BIM is delighted to see the FLAG’s work get underway.”
“In the coming months, the FLAG will consult with the local marine sector and the wider community. Findings from these consultation meetings will inform the FLAG’s future strategy and recommendations. BIM would encourage a high turn-out for every FLAG meeting as each one offers the local community an opportunity to make their voices heard and to play an active role in creating new and sustainable sources of income and other projects aimed at improving the quality of life for the local community. The North-East FLAG’s range of expertise will underpin the work it undertakes with and on behalf of the local coastal community. BIM looks forward to working with the FLAG and wishes them the very best for their inaugural meeting and beyond.”
FLAGs aim to empower fishing and aquaculture-dependent communities to use the valuable resources they have at their disposal to develop and implement a strategy to increase revenue and employment opportunities for their local areas. The role of the FLAG is to encourage local community stakeholders to develop strategies for their coastal community and to encourage the development of synergies between stakeholders including the State and coastal communities.
The North- East FLAG is Ireland’s sixth and final group to be established under the EU-based Axis Four Fisheries Fund programme. The West, South-East and North, North-West and South West FLAGs are already in place. Each FLAG consists of a mix of representatives from State organisations and fishing and marine groups. Six FLAGs are being established and they will cover the coast line from Carlingford to Lough Swilly. Each FLAG strategy will act as a roadmap for the Sustainable Development of Fishery Dependent Areas 2013 to 2015.
