Fisheries area High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat THE KINGDOM OF TROUT Fishery Local Action Group “High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat” The Bulgarian Operational Program “Fisheries Sector Development”

High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Fisheries Area Location

The only one inland fisheries area in Bulgaria Located in the southwestern Rhodope Mountains, in the border with Greece Includes the municipalities of Batak, Devin and Dospat Altitudebetween 700 and 1300 m High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Fisheries Area

High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Fisheries Area Surface area of km 2 Population of 28,273 inhabitants Low population density inhabitants/km 2

High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Environment and biodiversity High percentage protected natural areas o 4 nature reserves o 37 protected areas o 3 protected zones within the Natura 2000 Network o 1 Important Bird Area o over 236 species of birds o over 30 species of butterflies, with high value o 2 species of protected fishes

Overall area of aquatic ecosystems ha High concentration of dams /11 dams/ & some of the largest dam in the country Basin farms in rivers with suitable watercourses Floating netlike cages in the dams High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Aquatic ecosystems

First trout fish-farms created in the 70’s of XX century Leader in the aquaculture in the country Leader in the producing of trout in the country Produced 2200 tons of fish in 2010 High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Aquacultures

8 companies operating in Aquacultures 5 companies in preparation 8 “channel type” farms for breeding of rainbow trout 2 firms for fish and fishery processing 3 hatcheries operating Water area used for fish farming – total 8,834 ha High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Aquacultures

FLAG is a mechanism for PPP, which: – includes three main sectors in the territory (public, business and civil society) and – is based on the "bottom- up approach” FLAG works for effective management of available territorial resources and sustainable development of fisheries areas High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat FLAG Mission

General meeting Board Operative team Consultative council Control committee Thematic groups High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat FLAG organisational structure

PUBLIC SECTOR - 3 representatives of all the three municipalities (Batak, Devin and Dospat) CIVIL SOCIETY - 6 representatives of non-for-profit & nongovernmental organizations ECONOMIC SECTOR - 3 representatives, two of them representatives of the fisheries sector High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat FLAG Partnerships

1. Sustainable development of fishery area by adding value to the products of fishing and aquaculture and diversification of economic activities with the development of fishing tourism High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Strategic Objectives

2. Use of equipment and technologies, which preserve the environment in the sector "Aquaculture", for the production, processing and sale of fish, and provide adding value to the sector High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Strategic Objectives development and modernization of the conditions in some small/medial firms for production, processing or sale of fish development and implementation of some new products in production, processing or sale of fish

3. Development of fisheries area, as attractive destination for fishing tourism, especially for fishing of (Balkan) trout. Offering tourist services, orientated to consumers with high added value for the territory. High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Strategic Objectives

Develop fishing tourism products and services Development of fishing tourism as the main motive for tourist visits in the fisheries Integration fishing tourism products and services in ecotourism products and local economic development Promote the consumption of fish-products in the fisheries area as a key element in tourism products High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Strategic Objectives

4. Improving environmental quality in the area, based on rehabilitation and preservation of the biodiversity of fishery resources in aquatic ecosystems High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat Strategic Objectives

Nebi Kehaya – Manager George Kerelov – Coordinator Yordanka Mircheva – Technical assistant Website: High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat FLAG Team

Thank you for Your attention! Fishery Local Action Group “High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat” The Bulgarian Operational Program “Fisheries Sector Development” Fisheries Local Action Group "High Western Rhodopes: Batak – Devin - Dospat “