Sustainable Seas - Better Businesses - Closer Communities

What is FLAG?

• European Fisheries Fund (EFF) Axis 4, funding to help sustain the local fishing industry and fishing communities.

• Managed by the Marine Management Organisation in the UK.

• Fisheries Local Action Group – – ‘Local Actors interested in Axis 4 of the EFF

are required to create a local group to deliver the measures’ Farnet Guide 1

Funding

• 2010 bid to set up a FLAG successful:– East Riding of Yorkshire, Cornwall, North

Devon, Cumbria, Hastings and North Norfolk • Original £4.6 million EFF matched by

DEFRA - total pot = £9.2 million• Funding allocated against each areas

proposed Local Development Strategy

Flag Area

• Area includes all parishes along the East Riding of Yorkshire coastline, from Flamborough Head to Spurn

• Around Europe a total of 144 Fisheries Local Action Groups have already been set up

• Representation on the FLAG brings together Public, Private and Civic sectors

Private Sector

Name Organisation

John White Local Fisherman (Withernsea)

Andrew Faichney Local Fisherman (Hornsea)

George Traves Chairman of Bridlington Harbour Commissioners

Joanna Ackers Independent Shellfish Cooperative

Alan Gordon Freeman Sirius Business Advice and Training

Julie Snowden Seafish

Phill Arnott Recreational Sea Angling

Zoe Crutchfield Smartwind

Civic Sector

Name Organisation

Barbara Jefferson Hornsea Area Renaissance Partnership

Gordon Hodgson Withernsea & SE Holderness Renaissance Partnership

Neil Watson Bridlington Renaissance Partnership

Neville Metcalf Hornsea Inshore Rescue

Malcolm Watkinson Withernsea RNLI

Martin Batt Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Public Sector

Name Organisation

Cllr Arthur Hodgson ERYC Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning

David McCandless NEIFCA

Magnus Johnson/Richard Faint Hull University, (Marine Studies/Business School)

Leanne Stockdale Natural England

FLAG Membership

The Development of the Strategy• Successful bid in December 2010• Strategy submitted end of May 2011• Consultation during January/February

2011– Fishing industry, ERYC, Town/Parish

Councils, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Renaissance Partnerships, Schools etc

– Consultation event, interviews, project idea forms

• Three Key Themes were developed

Theme 1Securing a sustainable fishing industry by improving the quality and adding value to existing fish products, developing a local brand, improving marketing and assisting the development of secondary processing.

Example projects:

• Lobster Hatchery

• Continuation and extension of the V-notching Programme

• Development of a recognised local identity/brand for the fishery and its products

• Supply chain development

• International marketing

• Bench testing new products

Programme Areas:• Sustainability Programme • Diversification Programme• Promotion and Branding

Programme • Secondary Processing

Programme • Training Programme • Infrastructure Programme

Theme 2Developing the area’s tourism potential by encouraging and facilitating the development of themed events and activities to promote locally caught seafood e.g. festivals, retailing, interpretation and diversifying the tourism offer (based on leisure angling, nature tourism, education etc).

Example projects:• Coastal, seafood and maritime

heritage themed information trail

• Additional floating pontoons in Bridlington Harbour for leisure boats

• Training of chefs in preparation and use of shellfish and other locally caught seafood

• Co-ordinated programme of seafood and maritime themed festivals

• Public realm improvements in key seaside locations

Programme Areas:• Nature Tourism

Programme • Sailing, Leisure Boating

and Angling programme • Catering and Hospitality

Programme • Festival and Events

Programme • Maritime Heritage

Programme

Theme 3Creating stronger communities by raising awareness of the economic and employment opportunities presented by marine related activities and encouraging active involvement

Example projects:• Development of an educational

resource pack • School and college based

vocational courses, including catering and hospitality

• Local recipe cards/books

• Training of chefs in preparation and use of shellfish and other locally caught seafood

• Raise awareness through social media including Facebook and Twitter

Programme Areas:• Education Programme • Community Activity

Programme • Media and PR programme

Update

• Strategy was submitted on the 26th May 2011• Submitted Full Business Plan in July

2011(including application for the delivery programme = 10% of funding total)

• MMO allocated £1.15 million to the Holderness Coast in September 2011

• Contract/ Partnership Agreement under negotiation between ERYC Legal Team and the Marine Management Organisation - Agreed November 2011

• Holderness FLAG formally launched 1st December 2011

Update

• Since December 2011 work continues with the MMO – particularly around systems management, project criteria and match funding

• 31 Expressions of interest received• FLAG Board has met and approved 13

Projects submitted so far. Committing a total spend of over £500,000

Update

• Projects approved include Bridlington Harbour Improvements, Living Seas Centre – Flamborough, Research Vessel, Apprenticeship Scheme

• Projects expected soon – Lobster Hatchery, Website, Catch Conservation, Bridlington Harbour Phase 2

Contact

• Ray Williamson

ray.williamson@eastriding.gov.uk

• Susan Denness

susan.denness@eastriding.gov.uk

• Tom Rutherford

tom.rutherford@eastriding.gov.uk