Agreement reached on CFP funding package
The European Parliament has endorsed the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) with an overwhelming majority. With a budget of €6.5 billion for 2014-2020, the fund will finance projects to implement the new reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and provide financial support to fishermen, fish farmers and coastal communities to adapt to the changed rules.The Fund will also finance projects to boost ‘blue’ growth and jobs under the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP).
“Our reformed fisheries policy is putting European fisheries on a sustainable footing once and for all. To get there will mean radical changes for our fishermen and the whole sector, which needs our financial support. We will co-fund concrete projects in the Member States to help fishermen and coastal communities develop a sustainable seafood industry – from the net to the plate,” remarked European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki.
Funding sustainable fishing
The new EMFF will provide investment and funding opportunities to help reduce the impact of fisheries on the marine environment and to rebuild fish stocks. The fund will also help eliminate discarding practices – a key aspect of the new policy. No EU money will be spent on building new fishing vessels or other initiatives that would contribute to increasing fishing capacity.
The priority is to help small-scale fishermen as well as young fishermen and fishermen’s families. The Fund will also help fish-farmers become more competitive and to reach new markets. Fisheries data collection will also be funded to advance decision-making based on robust evidence, and to reinforce fisheries control programmes to ensure compliance on responsible and sustainable fishing.Funding will also support regionalised policy-making of the new CFP.
Boosting blue growth
A first, the fund will assist coordination of the Integrated Maritime Policy. Funding will focus on initiatives that benefit multiple sectors such as maritime spatial planning, integrated maritime surveillance and marine knowledge.
The Fund will now go to Council of Fisheries Ministers for final adoption in June.
The EMFF will co-finance projects alongside national funding streams with each Member State receiving a share of the total budget. Member States will draw up their national operational programmes, specifying how they intend to spend the money allocated. Once approved by the Commission, national authorities will decide which projects they wish to support.
The EMFF is the financial instrument to deliver the objectives of the reformed CFP and support the implementation of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy. The EMFF will support the social dimension of the reformed CFP and will focus on the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture as well as support growth and jobs in coastal communities across the EU.
The EMFF is part of the EU multi-annual financial framework for the 2014-2020 programming period. Its budget of € 6.5bn is part of the package devoted to fisheries and maritime affairs. In addition to being the main source of financing for the reformed CFP, the EMFF budget also finances partnership agreements with third countries and contributes to regional fisheries management organisations.
