Programme: Human Resources Development

In the High West Rhodopes Fishery Territory: Batak - Devin - Dospat the total water area is 4792 ha, or 3.12% of the total territory. The territory is characterized with high concentration of dams (10 dams, some of which are among the largest in Bulgaria) and rivers with suitable conditions for the development of aquaculture and for the development of recreational fishing. A significant part of the fishery territory falls within Natura 2000 protected areas and territories. This requires the application of special measures and careful use of the potential these territories give. Among the needs for the development of the fishery territory identified in the FLAG Strategy is "Improving the attractiveness of the territory for attracting tourist interest and improving the quality of tourist supply" and "Developing fishing tourism opportunities with significant added value for the territory". This project proposal focuses on these identified needs by including several main activities:
- Construction of an exposition fishing center in Devin. The creation of the center involves the reconstruction and repair of an existing building, the furnishing and equipment of two halls - training information and exposition, exhibiting models of the ichthyological wealth of the area. The building is owned by the Devin Hunting and Fisheries Company - the bearer of the project.
- Developing a mobile information application to provide information for the benefit of fisheries communities. A key activity that will promote fishing tourism opportunities in the area and will be offering fishing tourism routes and conditions with environmentally friendly parameters and norms.
The project as a whole will contribute to the development of the fisheries area as an attractive fishing tourism destination and especially for catching (Balkan) trout offering high value added tourism services to consumers as part of integrated eco-tourism products