Following the adoptionof the Partnership Agreement 2021-2027 with Greece, the Commission has adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme for Greece, to implement the EU common fisheries policy (CFP) and EU policy priorities outlined in the European Green Deal. The total financial allocation for the Greek programme 2021-2027 is €519.6 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution accounts for €363.7 million.
Supported activities
57% of the programme’s allocation will be dedicated to sustainable fisheries, 25% will be invested in sustainable aquaculture and in processing and marketing, 13% will be dedicated to sustainable blue economy in coastal, island and internal regions and 2% will be invested in the strengthening of international ocean governance, all contributing to the EU’s environmental and climate objectives.
The programme will support, among others things:
- Sustainable fisheries: investments to comply with the landing obligation (as certain catches of fish are not allowed to be discarded at sea); conservation policies; permanent and temporary cessation to support EU fisheries management objectives; fisheries control including digitalisation and fight against IUU fishing; data collection; investments in fishing vessels to improve safety, health, hygiene, working conditions; de-carbonisation and energy efficiency in the fisheries sector; investments targeting small scale coastal fisheries; modernization of fishing ports and shelters; actions to tackle marine litter.
- Sustainable aquaculture: investments in sustainable aquaculture projects; support of innovation, diversification of activities as well as the transition to circular economy; Aquaculture support to de-carbonisation and organic aquaculture and the processing of the fish and aquaculture products; promotion and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products.
- Sustainable blue economy (i.e. economic activities related to seas and oceans): development of coastal and island areas through Local Action Groups (LAG) taking into consideration opportunities in blue economy as highlighted in Smart Specialisation Strategies.
- International ocean governance: marine knowledge and maritime surveillance activities.
Main expected outcomes until 2027
The Greek EMFAF programme will contribute to the EU policy priorities outlined in the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies.
The programme will support the resilience of fisheries and aquaculture sectors with the support of the development of the sectors, of their diversification and by using compensation schemes to support the relevant economy sectors from future crisis.
It will support the green transition of the sectors with investments aimed at improving gear selectivity, health and safety, decarbonisation and energy efficiency. Investments on modernization of fishing ports will also be supported by the programme. Investments on innovation, diversification, circular economy and energy efficiency will help sustainable development of the aquaculture sector.
The digital transition of the Greek fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors is a key area of the programme: It is addressed in the context of support on innovation investments as well as on the control intervention.
The financial support will also help to develop and implement of management plans for marine protected areas and Natura 2000 sites and to fight against marine litter. The programme will reinforce the environmental actions undertaken under the Greek prioritised action framework for Natura 2000:conservation and restoration of sites within and beyond the Natura 2000 network, removal of abandoned fishing gear and other waste, combat and limit of the impact of marine invasive species.
The EMFAF programme benefits from a good collaboration between the European Commission, national managing authorities and local partners. It will support community-led local development strategies (CLLDs), a bottom-up approach to policy development that encourages local people to form a Local Action Group (LAG) and get involved.
Background
The EMFAF runs from 2021 to 2027 and supports the EU common fisheries policy (CFP), the EU maritime policy and the EU agenda for international ocean governance. The fund helps achieve sustainable fisheries and conserve marine biological resources.
Article 8 of the EMFAF Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 requires Member States to produce a national implementation programme for the EMFAF. This operational programme focuses on EU priorities, laying down the strategy and investment priorities, including the indicative annual financial allocation for each priority. The programme is subject to approval by the European Commission.
More information
Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy.
Source: European Commission I Ocean Fisheries (https://bit.ly/3Vwhtkn)