Coastal initiative for the southwest
The Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan and the South-West Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) have launched a Strategy for Small and Fishing Dependent Communities in the south-west.
The South-West FLAG is one of six FLAGs that are part of a nationwide iniative coordinated by BIM and funded under Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund which aims to empower local communities to develop opportunities and grow existing infrastructure within their own coastal areas.
Pictured with Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan; T.D are:
Back row: Joseph O’Shea; Inshore Fishing; South Kerry; Seamus O’Grady; Inshore Fishing; North Kerry; Finian O’Sullivan; Aquaculture West Cork; John Walsh; Community Islands Cork; Huan Tan; BIM; Vera O’Donovan; BIM and Frank Fleming; Responsible Irish Fish
Front row: Artie Clifford; Artisan Food Community; West Kerry; Kevin Flannery; Environment Community West Kerry; Tomas Hayes; Kerry Enterprise Board and Maire Ni He; Udaras na Gaeltachta
Speaking at the launch, Minister Deenihan said he was delighted to launch this very “worthwhile venture” in a region renowned for its maritime and fisheries heritage. “The members of the South-West FLAG are to be congratulated for compiling such a detailed and comprehensive strategy,” he said.
The initiative receives a total investment of €1.5 million under the 2014 National FLAG programme, of which €600,000 is co-funded by Government and the European Fisheries Fund.
“We cannot underestimate the significance of our fisheries and marine tourism sectors to our coastal communities in terms of employment and revenue so this investment and initiative is of vital importance,” Minister Deenihan added.
The South-West FLAG region includes the area west of Foynes, Co. Limerick to the river at Youghal, Co. Cork. Three projects have been approved by the FLAG committee across four themes: sustainable seafood-fostering; the artisan sector; skills development and a stronger coastal economy-specialist skills, and marine tourism-maritime heritage.
The FLAG initiative differs from existing grant-aid programmes explained Michael Keatinge, BIM Fisheries and Training Development Director with BIM:
“We administer a variety of grant-aid schemes to the fisheries sector but the Axis 4 programme represents a new departure for structural aid in this sector. It essentially empowers local people to become the drivers of local development.”
He added that while BIM coordinates the programme it is the FLAG groups who takes ownership of their own strategy to enable fisheries communities create new and sustainable sources of income.
“We’re delighted with the uptake to date and we’re looking forward to the launch of three further strategies for the north, northwest and east FLAGs in the coming months,” he said.
Closing date for applications is Friday 28th March 2014. Terms and conditions apply. Further information from www.bim.ie.
