On August 25, 2018, during Lamprey Festival in Carnikava, the CHERISH project was launched. Representatives were briefly introduced with main project activities and expected results. Experts and stakeholders were gathered together to meet each other and discussed how to protect and promote cultural heritage of fishing communities in Riga Planning Region coastal area.
Among the participants were representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, representatives from Riga Planning Region coastal municipalities - Carnikava, Engure, Salacgrīva and Jūrmala, public and state organizations as – State Environment Service, Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment, tradition holders – organizers of the Lamprey and Coastal Fishing Festival, representatives of Museums, fishermen's associations and local action groups.
In the enriching atmosphere, we discussed needs for joint coastal development for Riga Planning Region, joint cooperation and development programs to promote fishery, infrastructure adjustment (including fishing gear, boat documentation, etc.), development of seal protection plan to balance nature conservation issues with economic issues, need to promote more accessible fish market for customer as well as how to attract young people to fishery – to increase the prestige of fishery – all those topics were mentioned as main actions to protect and promote cultural heritage of fishing communities.
