The aim of the project was to develop and promote the Baltic Sea region as a coastal fishing tourism destination, focusing on sea trout as a coastal fishing tourism product, and developing sustainable and efficient management practices.
From Latvia, the project was represented by the Kurzeme Planning Region, the Ventspils Municipality, and the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health, and Environment "BIOR."
The Interreg Baltic Sea Region RETROUT project, which ran from 2017 to 2021, focused on two key areas:
Pilot projects for restoring fish spawning routes in coastal rivers of the Baltic Sea in Sweden, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, and Latvia.
The establishment of fishing tourism destinations in the partner countries.
As a result, a fishway was constructed in the Rīva River in Ventspils Municipality, allowing salmonid fish to migrate from the sea and pass a previously impassable dam. The fishway was designed to resemble a natural riverbed as much as possible, and it is the only such fish spawning route in Latvia. During its design and construction, special attention was paid to promoting biodiversity and preserving the scenic value of the Rīva River. Today, the wooden bridge over the Rīva River and the historic paper mill dam have become popular tourist attractions.
To promote Kurzeme as a fishing tourism destination, three promotional videos were created. These videos highlight fishing opportunities for various target groups, from those who want to fish alone in pursuit of the big catch, to families or friends looking to enjoy the unspoiled nature and hospitality of Kurzeme.
The videos offer a glimpse of the natural beauty of Kurzeme, showcase fishing opportunities in rivers, lakes, and the sea, and demonstrate the advantages of going on a fishing trip with a guide.
The first video provides a general overview of Kurzeme’s fishing potential, blending musical accompaniment with nature scenes and the fishing process, telling a story of being in nature and showing how different audiences (families with children, friends, or solo anglers) can enjoy time outdoors.
The promotional video aimed at professional and passionate anglers showcases fishing opportunities in various waters – the sea, trout streams, and lakes. Fishing guides share trade secrets and offer tips on the best times to fish for a big catch.
The video focused on family activities near the water emphasizes the value of togetherness, exploring nature, and passing on skills to the next generation.
To promote Kurzeme as a fishing tourism destination, a brochure with a map titled "Fish in Kurzeme!" was published in both Latvian and English.
As part of the project, two informative materials were prepared – the "Fish in Kurzeme" brochure and a Kurzeme map, aimed at both local and foreign anglers, promoting Kurzeme as an attractive fishing tourism destination. The material was developed in close cooperation with anglers, fishing guides, as well as Kurzeme’s tourist information centers and the creators of the ManaCope app.
Open and download here!
The brochure contains information about the most commonly caught fish in rivers, lakes, and along the sea coast, where to find fishing guides to make fishing a true adventure, the best fishing times for popular fish, restrictions, and fish retention limits. Those who prefer to see fish on their dining table will find the best and trendiest restaurants and cafes in Kurzeme, where fish dishes dominate the menu, along with a few simple yet incredibly tasty recipes characteristic of Kurzeme.
The brochure is accompanied by a map of Kurzeme, marking licensed fishing waters. It also shows locations for boat rentals, fish ponds where even beginner anglers are guaranteed a catch, and other tourism offers related to fishing and angling, as well as information about fishing shops located in Kurzeme.
Open and download here!
A handbook for the development of Kurzeme as a fishing tourism destination was also created. This handbook provides practical information about the nuances to consider when creating tourism offers related to fishing, gives advice on advertising services, branding, and evaluates the importance of collaboration and networking in creating stable and high-quality tourism products.
Open and download here!
During the project, an in-depth study was conducted on the impact of fishing tourism on the regional economy. You can access the study results here.
