The Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) of Lake Bolsena presented its plans at a public meeting on 22 November at the Bolsena Auditorium.

As pointed out by President Bruna Rossetti, this is the only FLAG in Italy for fresh water (the others are all dedicated to the sea). The association aims to promote local development, with the participation of public sector representatives, private and civil society sectors. At the moment, among the members of FLAG there are trade associations and fishermen’s cooperatives as well as six of the lake’s municipalities (Bolsena, Capodimonte, Gradoli, Marta, Montefiascone and San Lorenzo Nuovo).

The European Fund for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (EMFF) has made funds available for projects of “sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture”. These funds are intended for projects that enhance fishing, primarily the restart of the fish hatcheries of Marta and Bolsena.

The objectives of FLAG, presented by the local activities officer Imola Bellavita, are as follows:

• creating management processes to promote sustainable exploitation of resources
• increasing the income of fishermen through means of investment and promotion of products
• combining the fishing industry with protecting and enhancing the environmental, cultural, historical and food & wine heritage of the territory.

For information, fishermen and citizens can contact the two FLAG branches open to the public, in Marta and Bolsena.

In a lively discussion following the presentation, the mayors of Bolsena and Marta spoke about the objectives of FLAG and on the problems of fishing. Some speeches from the audience recalled the current critical situation of the lake. Regional Councillor Silvia Blasi stressed that the FLAG initiative is creditable and represents a great opportunity, however one can not forget the protection of the environment.