Brussels, 17/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 16 April, the European Parliament approved, by a very large majority (473 votes in favour, 52 against and 40 abstentions), the regulation on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
With a budget of €6.4 billion over the period 2014-2020, this fund will finance projects to implement the new reformed common fisheries policy (CFP) and provide certain financial support to fishermen, fish farmers and the coastal populations (see EUROPE 11055). It will also pay for projects aiming to stimulate blue growth and employment in the framework of the integrated maritime policy of the EU.
The EMFF is still to be officially approved by the Council. It will then be published in the Official Journal of the EU in May and will enter into force in June. It will be implemented by the member states by means of operational programmes.
“No EU subsidy will go to build new fishing vessels or any other initiative which is likely to contribute to increasing fishing capability”, the European Commission notes. Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, said that the reformed CFP “is putting European fisheries on a sustainable footing once and for all”. Achieving this “will mean radical changes for our fishermen and the whole sector, which needs our financial support”, she added.
“The Parliament has secured substantial changes to the Commission's proposal, in order to make the EMFF a sustainable and competitive fisheries instrument”, explained Alain Cadec, rapporteur on the text. “The increase in the budget earmarked for controls and data collection, keeping in place start-up aid for young fishermen and the accompaniment to engine replacement represent major victories for the future of our fisheries model”, he added. Cadec went on to say that this fund will help to balance out certain radical measures in the reform of the common fisheries policy, such as the obligation to land all catch. Investments in fishing engine selectivity, for instance, will seriously reduce discards at sea and allow the resource to be managed sustainably, Cadec concluded.
In general, the environmental NGOs (such as Oceana) welcomed the EMFF text, with the exception of a number of “perverse” subsidies, such as the aid for engine replacement, as the organisation BirdLife put it.
Budget. The envelope of €6.4 billion has been divided up as follows: €4.34 billion for investments in the fishing and fish-farming sector, €580 million for controls, €520 millions for data collection, €45 million for storage aid, €192 million for the extremely remote regions and €718 million for the integrated maritime policy (€71 million of which will be under shared management).
Engine replacement. The engine replacement aid will affect vessels of less than 24 m, only in sectors where capacity is balanced. Reducing engine size is a requirement (zero for vessels of less than 12 metres, -20% for vessels of 12 to 18 metres and -30% for the 18 to 24 m category). The member states must earmark 60% of the envelope for small-scale coastal fisheries.
Start-up aid. This will be available for fishermen below the age of 40 (with five years' professional experience) acquiring their first vessel, which must be less than 20 m in length and between five and 30 years in age. Maximum aid €75,000 and 25% of the acquisition cost.
Diversification of income. Development of activities in addition to the principal fishing activity (such as pescatourism), up to €75,000 and 50% of the investment.
Processing and marketing. Support will be available to production and marketing plans implemented by producer organisations (POs) and for the structuring of POs, investments in the processing sector and in marketing (adding value to products, traceability, labels).
Decommissioning. Two options: (1) destruction aid up to 31 December 2017; (2) reallocation of vessels to activities other than fishing.
Temporary cessation. Aid is possible (up to 6 months per vessel) in the event of temporary cessation or the non-renewal of fishing agreements.
Mutual fund. Contribution to ensuring systems to compensate losses caused by adverse weather conditions, natural disasters or environmental accidents. The losses caused must be more than 30% of annual turnover.
Shellfish farming. In particular: compensation to producers in the event of exceptional mass mortality, if the mortality rate exceeds 20% or the loss exceeds 35% of annual turnover.
Aid to temporary cessation, decommissioning and engine replacement has been limited at €6 million per member state. (LC)