SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STRATEGY

1. SHORT SUMMARY OF THE STRATEGY

NGO Saarte Kalandus membership consists of local government institutions, fishery companies and other NGOs operating in the fishery sector. The goal of the organization is to sustainably develop fisheries areas' fields of operations and fields connected to fisheries areas and to ensure the sustainability and vitality of littoral zone's throughout cooperation in between the members, through partnership and own initiatives by creating and implementing strategies to reach the goal.

The direct goals of the “Development strategy for fisheries area of Saaremaa for 2009 – 2013” are to address on the “European Fisheries Fund Operational Program’s 2007-2013” measure 4.1 “Sustainable development of fisheries areas” usage of the funds on Saaremaa’s fisheries area. However, the strategy can also be used for other activities and support to justify requests which are helpful to the development of the fisheries area.

This development strategy is based on the statement that the coastal fishery which has been through the centuries an important field on Saaremaa, has started to vanish. Interactions between several factors have led to heavy decrease of the income of coastal fisheries on Saaremaa. The low profitability of the coastal fishery has entered into a vicious cycle. There were no possibilities to renew boats and fishing gear and equipment and to renovate fishing harbors. Fisheries low profitability have forced fishermen to start searching for other means to survive and professional fishing itself has remained a second source for income for fishermen. There has been very little value added from young to the industry and the average age of professional fishermen is 61.

The Development Strategy of fisheries area has an aim to turn this development to positive trend with the possibility to include the “European Fisheries Fund Operational Program’s 2007-2013 measure 4.1 “Sustainable development of fisheries areas” funds for development. The aim is by 2020 reach the goal which is that “People from Saaremaa will carry on the sustainability and traditional values of coastal villages together with people who are involved also only part time. We will combine the traditional heritage with multiple investments into modern maritime economy (building ships), fisheries, into aquaculture and into tourism to develop fisheries. Being fishermen is honored and fish is valued and accessible food on the islands.”

The strategy is designed to take use and put into action all five areas of the measure 4.1 “Sustainable development of fisheries areas” and the strategy also shows indicative distribution in percentages of funds into five different lines of action which were created according to the results of the survey made for the members by the NGO Saarte Kalandus in February 2009:

Board members of the NGO Saarte Kalandus organized a survey regarding the needs to renovate the fishing harbors and unloading places. From October to November 20008 board members of the NGO visited all unloading places which need renovation, there were meetings with owners of harbors, professional fishermen and with representatives with the local governments. Buildings on these harbors were photographed and possibilities of renovations were thoroughly discussed. According to the visits and discussions NGO created a list of fishing harbors and unloading places which need to be renovated and the list is attached to the appendix 4. During the action- and strategy meeting the Doctor of Science in geology Kaarel Orviku presented his expert opinion regarding the fishing harbors and unloading places which need to be renewed.

Creating process of the strategy was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture who organized training sessions where board members and other active members of the organizations were attending.

Text of strategy is available for reading on the homepage of NGO Saarte Kalandus from the 15th of May and renewed version from 21st of May 2010 at www.saartekalandus.ee

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