Welcome to EMILIA-ROMAGNA COAST GALPA FLAG

“The marinas of the Emilia-Romagna coast at the center of the Blue Economy.”  – GALPA CER FLAG,  Fisheries and Aquaculture Local Action Group of Emilia-Romagna coast.

The new strategy of GALPA  Costa Emilia Romagna FLAG, the active local action group operating in the 130 km of coastline of the Emilia-Romagna Region, is entitled “The marinas of the Emilia-Romagna coast at the center of the Blue Economy.” It will activate actions and projects with a unified and shared strategy for the development of the fishing and aquaculture sector and Blue Economy sectors in the territories from Goro to Cattolica.

On December 7, 2023, with Resolution No. 25939, the Emilia-Romagna Region, as an Intermediate Body, approved the strategy submitted by the Temporary Association of Purpose GALPA CER for a total amount of €6,364,732.00.

GALPA CER FLAG partners

THE STRATEGY

The organization of a single partnership encompassing the entire coastal area of Emilia-Romagna—characterized by fishing and aquaculture activities and in continuity with the choices made during the previous programming period—is based on the decision to develop a shared sustainable development strategy for the entire coastal territory of the Emilia-Romagna Region. The aim is to contribute to the growth of a sustainable blue economy in the coastal and lagoon areas of the region and within its fishing and aquaculture communities.

The strategy of the FLAG GALPA CER aims to address the factors threatening the sustainability of the fishing fleets along the Emilia-Romagna Coast, as well as of fishing and aquaculture, such as coastal pollution from human activities, the loss of biodiversity in marine and lagoon habitats, the spread of invasive alien species, and climate change. It also targets the loss of competitiveness in the fisheries sector, through a common sustainable development strategy.

By pursuing environmental, social, and economic sustainability objectives, the strategy seeks to promote and ensure responsible and attentive use of marine and lagoon areas. This involves the adoption of low-impact, technological tools that support ongoing resilience—allowing marine ecosystems to naturally restore their resources—so that they remain available to future generations and coastal fishing communities. The goal is to establish a fair balance between the competitiveness of the fisheries sector and the protection of biodiversity.

Browse the Local Development Strategy of the CER GALPA FLAG

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

3 general objectives centered around the three key concepts of sustainability:

INCREASE MARINE AND VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

INNOVATION AN ECO-SUSTAINABILITY OF FISHING AND AQUACULTURE ENTERPRISES

PROMOTING THE SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF FISHERIES COMMUNITIES

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES/STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
ACTIONS

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES/STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

1. INCREASE MARINE AND VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

O.S 1.A Contributing to the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems and safeguarding marine and valley biotic resources;

O.S 1.B Promotion of blue biotechnologies and regeneration of marine and valley areas: bioremediation, biopharmaceuticals, biomolecules, biomaterials.

2. INNOVATION AN ECO-SUSTAINABILITY OF FISHING AND AQUACULTURE ENTERPRISES

O.S 2.A To improve the economic eco-sustainability and energy efficiency of fishing enterprises by favouring investments towards more sustainable means of production;

O.S 2.B To promote technological and eco-sustainable innovation in aquaculture and to diversify production;

O.S 2.C To support supply chain processes and to promote the marketing, quality and added value of fishery and aquaculture products, as well as the processing of these products, by fostering 0 km supply chains and increasing the added value to local production by activating product traceability, processing and marketing processes.

3. PROMOTING THE SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF FISHERIES COMMUNITIES

O.S 3.A Improvement of the quality of life, and of knowledge for operators and citizens of fishing communities;

O.S 3.B Enhancement of human capital and integration of incomes for fishing sector families.

ACTIONS

Each specific objective is divided into various actions aimed at achieving specific targets.

1.A.1 Studies, Education and Events – Studies, educational programmes and information initiatives to adopt sustainable behaviour and preserve biodiversity
1.A.2 Investments to support fishing and aquaculture enterprises by equipping them with special equipment and low-impact ecological containers for the collection of waste, biotic waste, alien species and predators and the installation of structures and equipment to protect production
1.A.3 On-shore investments for the creation of storage and collection facilities for marine and valley waste and alien species – Waste collection management plan in port areas
1.A.4 Management and marketing plans to contain the spread of alien and predator species and assess containment solutions and market potential
1.B.1 Circular economy projects, collaboration networks of fishing enterprises and scientific research with reference to Blue Bio-economy and S3 sectors (e.g. microalgae, bioclasts, etc.)
1.B.2 Investments to improve water status and environmental conditions (sea, valleys and lagoons)

2.A.1 Fishermen – Investments to more sustainable production
2.A.2 Small artisan fishing – Pilot actions to implement the management plan of small artisan fishing
2.B.1 Investments in aquaculture enterprises aimed at improving the economic sustainability of aquaculture enterprises, such as shellfish and valliculture, and improving production methods
2.B.2 Pilot actions aimed at introducing other species and developing sustainable aquaculture systems
2.C.1 Farm to fork: fishery and aquaculture products from fishing communities on the table Organisation of pilot projects and promotional events to promote seasonal fishery products on the menus of coastal restaurants and in hotel establishments, setting up points of sale, etc.
2.C.2 Supporting processing and marketing projects for fishery and aquaculture products

3.A.1 Investments to improve accessibility and safety in ports for citizens and fishing enterprises
3.A.2 Investments for the qualification and valorisation of maritime traditions and cultural heritage
3.A.3 Intangible actions aimed at spreading the knowledge of the entire supply chain and the Blue Economy sectors
3.B.1 Support for training and information initiatives to improve skills and encourage the entry of the workforce into the fishing and aquaculture world of work
3.B.2 Support for fisheries tourism and aquaculture activities to diversify family income opportunities and contribute to social welfare

EXPECTED RESULTS

The expected result is the growth of the local community in the coastal area, ensuring sustainable development from an environmental, economic, and social perspective. This includes developing a sustainable and innovative economy where environmental protection, economic activities, and balance go hand in hand, in line with the principles of Blue Growth and with the S3 strategies identified as priorities by the Emilia-Romagna Region.

RESOURCES

The strategy foresees a total expenditure of €8,599,734.00, with a requested public contribution of €6,324,734.00.

DISTRICT

The entire coastline of the Emilia Romagna region, for the total of 130 km, from Goro to Cattolica, is involved in the local development strategy  of GALPA CER FLAG, areas where fishing and lagoon fish farming have a century old tradition.

The most common fishing techniques are trawling, with steering wheel, hydraulic dredger and gears. Relevant is the activity of aquaculture and mariculture with two main activities:  the farming of clams on lagoon and the suspension farming of mussels in the sea.

Thanks to environmental and geographical characteristics, economic development has been closely connected with tourist activities, in particular with the offer of summer coastal seaside tourism.

EMFAF PROGRAM

On July 7, 2021, the Regulation establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (FEAMPA) was approved.

The FEAMPA (in English, the acronym becomes EMFAF) is operational from 2021 to 2027 to support the Common Fisheries Policy (Common Framework Policy), the integrated maritime policy, and the Europe’s agenda for international ocean governance.

Following the Partnership Agreement, on November 4, 2022, the European Commission also approved the Operational Program for implementing the priorities of the FEAMPA structural fund in Italy for the period 2021-2027.

The National Operational Program FEAMPA 2021-2027 focuses on the following four priorities:

  1. Promote sustainable fisheries and the restoration and conservation of aquatic biological resources;
  2. Promote sustainable aquaculture activities and the transformation and commercialization of fisheries and aquaculture products, contributing to food security in the Union;
  3. Enable a sustainable blue economy in coastal, insular, and inland areas, and promote the development of fishing and aquaculture communities;
  4. Strengthen international ocean governance and ensure safe, protected, clean, and sustainably managed seas and oceans.

Priority 3 is implemented through the selection of Local Development Strategies by Local Action Groups (LAGs) formed by public-private local partnerships, involving all key stakeholders in the fisheries sector and representing the community of the territories (fishing and aquaculture sectors, but also other relevant economic sectors such as transformation and commercialization, environment, tourism, NGOs, local associations, local authorities, and other public bodies, etc.). In the Emilia-Romagna Region, the selected LAG is the GAL PESCA E ACQUACOLTURA COSTA DELL’EMILIA-ROMAGNA.

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