KAG The Costal Action Group in Ostrobothnia

NATIONAL FISHERY GROUPS The Costal Action Group in Ostrobothnia (FLAG Österbotten) is one of eight national fishery groups. Today there are 303 fishery groups in 21 (dec-2012) European countries.

FARNET FARNET is the European Fisheries Areas Network

NATIONAL FISHERY GROUPS

KAG AREA The Coastal Action Group covers the coastline from Kristiinankaupunki (Kristinestad) to Kokkola (Karleby).

The beginning of KAG The process of getting a fishery group to Ostrobothnia began in In 2007 the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland gave the green light for the Costal Action Groups. In Ostrobothnia the group started operating in the Summer of 2008.

Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG): Methods and Objects The fishery groups operate according to the general LEADER principles. This means that they support activities which promote local and rural activities. The main principles in our activity are for example innovative thinking and cooperation with emphasis on the local economy.

Added value with KAG The goal with the option to seek financing from the local fishery groups (FLAG) is to provide added value to the fishing industry. This financing option allows for more flexibility. Developing projects can be financed up to 90%. The municipalities are required to contribute a minimun of 10% in the financing of the program and private at least 10%

Priorities and goals The main focus of the KAG -program is improved know-how and cultural heritage. The program especially aims at activating young people and women. Another goal is to promote Ostrobothnia as a window towards Sweden and other countries

Policy to focus on small projects There is a policy within KAG to focus on small-scale projects. This way as many as possible can be involved in the projects. This policy has been successful.

The importance of networks It's interesting to note that people and organizations with no previous contact with the fishing sector are now engaged in this sector and involved in developing the sector through KAG -projects. The benefit to the fishing sector comes through the networks created during the projects. This type of networking is very important for the fishing sector.

Networking It's not only the fishing industry organizations who are involved in different KAG -projects. We have seen educational insitutions, enterprise development groups, adult education centers, municipalities, 4H organizations, local history societies, foundations and many others become involved as project owners in different projects.

Projects can include: - Small scale innovative investments, for example technical applications, development of fishing gear or technological development which would protect the gear agains seals. Projects may include testing of such innovations. - Raise the status of fish and fishery products, preferably with fish species that are not being utilized to the full. Increase consumers’ awareness of alternative products and ways of usage. - Provide added value to fairs and markets by demonstrating the opportunities provided by fishing, fish and various fish products, and so on.

- Fishery seminars and excursions. - Increasing the knowledge of professional fishery, especially focusing on young people. - Logistical solutions for the fishing industry. - Projects which aim at increasing the interest in professional fishery - Projects which are linked with adventure tourism and/or services on islands and archipelagos. - Analyzing the area resources through preliminary studies Projects can include: (cont.)

47 granted projects To date the total amount used within the scope of KAG -projects to develop the fishing industry is close to one million euros.

Click... to read more! Mikael Nygård Project manager Handelsespl. 23a 2 nd Floor Vasa Tel: