Fishing and experiencing the southern coast (KALKOE) – Creating engaging fishing experiences on Finland’s southern coast

The aim of the project is to strengthen the fishing industry and fishing tourism along Finland’s southern coast by fostering cooperation among regional stakeholders, raising awareness of fishing culture, and promoting responsible and experiential fishing-related tourism.

The project will showcase the expertise of commercial fishers, fishing guides and other industry professionals along the coast, while increasing local residents’, second-home owners’ and tourists’ knowledge of fishing, the Baltic Sea and the use of wild-caught fish as food.

The objectives of the project are to

Increase awareness of fishing- and Baltic Sea-related services and experiences along Finland’s southern coast.
Strengthen networking among commercial fishers, fishing guides, tourism businesses and tourism organisations.
Develop new fishing tourism products and service concepts.
Raise the profile of responsible fishing and Baltic Sea awareness.
Share knowledge and skills related to the preparation and use of wild-caught fish as food.
Inspire new target groups to take an interest in fishing and the maritime way of life.
Strengthen the region’s appeal as a year-round tourism destination.
Increase young people’s and women’s interest in fishing and wild fish.

The project will deliver

A stakeholder network bringing together the fishing industry, fishing tourism and recreational fishing along Finland’s southern coast.
A report on fishing tourism products in Finland’s coastal regions and the northern Baltic Sea.
At least 4 public events focusing on fishing and the Baltic Sea.
At least 6 advisory and training sessions on fishing for different target groups.
At least 3 workshops on the processing and utilisation of wild-caught fish.
At least 2 development workshops for fishing tourism industry stakeholders.
At least 12 new fishing tourism product ideas, developed collaboratively by commercial fishers, fishing guides and tourism businesses and presented as product cards for different customer groups.
Communication materials produced during the project, including online content, videos, blog posts, press releases and social media content.
The launch of new forms of cooperation among commercial fishers, fishing guides, tourism businesses, recreational fishing stakeholders and regional tourism organisations.