The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has announced the six Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) in England who will move forward to the next stage of selection under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
Thirteen Stage 1 applications from potential EMFF FLAGs were considered by the MMO, Defra and a representative of the rural development programme for England. The final decision was made at an MMO panel meeting on 27 April 2016. As part of the process, FLAG strategies were considered covering areas such as sustainability, growth and assistance with legislative changes as a result of Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform.
The successful FLAGs were announced as: Cornwall, Dorset and East Devon, Hastings, Holderness, North of Tyne and North Thames. These FLAGs will now prepare for the next stage of the selection process later this year by producing Local Development Strategies outlining the needs of their local area.
MMO chief finance officer, Michelle Willis, who chaired the selection panel said, “Selection of the six FLAGs to proceed to the next stage was incredibly difficult because all potential FLAGs presented compelling strategies and the overall quality of applications was high. However, after much discussion and consideration it is great to be able to identify the six FLAGs who will proceed to the next stage of the process.
“I am also personally pleased with the spread of FLAG experience we have been able to achieve, three of the FLAGs were previously European Fisheries Fund (EFF) FLAGs whilst three are new to the process, but have a wealth of experience in delivering programmes.”
She said that during this next stage the MMO will be looking to allocate the €6.4 million budget, based on the strength of strategies received.
The MMO will be featuring blogs from three of the successful FLAGs and these will be available on the MMO Marine Developments Blog.
