Brussels, 9 December 2022
The Commission has adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programmes for Estonia, Ireland and Poland.
The total amount of the allocated funds for Estonia, which cover this six-year period, is €139.1 million, of which the EU contribution accounts for €97.4 million. The total amount of the allocated funds for Ireland is €258.4 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution accounts for €142.4 million. Poland will receive €732 million for the six-year period, of which the EU will contribute with € 512.4 million.
The programmes’ allocations will be mostly dedicated to sustainable fisheries, sustainable aquaculture and processing as well as to sustainable blue economy in coastal regions and the strengthening of the international ocean governance.
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said:
“The EMFAF programmes that we just adopted for Estonia, Ireland and Poland are good news for the sector and its sustainability. The programmes aim to boost the resilience of the entire seafood sector, to accelerate its green and digital transition, as well as to support the coastal communities. The programmes will further stimulate research and innovation.”
The EMFAF Programme in Estonia will spread its resources almost equally between sustainable fisheries and conservation of aquatic biological resources, investment in sustainable aquaculture and sustainable blue economy in coastal areas, all contributing to the EU’s environmental and climate objectives.
In Ireland, 50% of the programme allocation will be dedicated to sustainable fisheries and conservation of aquatic biological resources to build resilience of the fishery sector to the current challenges and increase energy efficiency. The rest of the programme will stimulate sustainable aquaculture and blue economy activities.
In Poland, funds will be almost equally shared between spread sustainable fisheries and sustainable aquaculture. Investments will be done in human capital, reduction of the over-capacity of the Baltic fleet, improving safety, health and working conditions, and improving energy efficiency and decarbonisation of fishing activities, among others.
More information is available here, here and here.
Source – EU Commission