Representatives of the Council of the EU, the European Parliament, and the European Commission reached an interim agreement in the early hours of Friday 4 December on the implementing rules for the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFF), whose budget is estimated at EUR 6.108 billion in current prices (see EUROPE 12610/24, 12614/11).
The European Commission, which has been very careful to prevent overfishing in the context of aid, welcomed the compromise, which was reached at the seventh trilogue on this thorny issue.
EMFF funds “must not lead to an increase in fishing capacity”, according to the compromise text seen by EUROPE. Aid for the construction of new vessels (including in the outermost regions) is therefore not being reintroduced, contrary to Parliament’s original request.
Young fishermen. The first acquisition of a fishing vessel or the acquisition of partial ownership (at least 33%) may be financed if the fisherman is not more than 40 years old and has worked as a fisherman (or equivalent qualification) for at least five years. Fishermen could purchase small vessels (less than 12 metres) that have been registered for three years, or vessels up to 24 metres (registered for five years).
Small vessels would be eligible for aid for the replacement or modernisation of engines, provided that the new or modernised engine does not have a higher power output in kilowatts than the current engine.
Safety, working conditions, energy efficiency. A fishing vessel less than 24 metres long and more than 10 years old may have its tonnage increased, but only for compelling reasons: renovating accommodations and other facilities for the well-being of the crew, better fire prevention and safety systems on board, increased energy efficiency, or reduced CO2 emissions.
Engines. Older engines may be replaced or modernised using public funds, but only under strict conditions: - for vessels between 12 and 24 metres maximum and at least 5 years old; - the new engine may not have an increased power output (in kW), and the reduction in CO2 emissions would have to be at least 20%; - the fishing capacity withdrawn as a result of the replacement or modernisation of the engine cannot be replaced.
Compensation in the event of cessation of activity. In the event of permanent cessation of fishermen’s activities, they will be eligible for support for the scrapping or decommissioning of a vessel. To receive compensation, the shipowner will have to remove (from the fleet register) an equivalent fishing capacity. Furthermore, the beneficiary of this public aid will not be able to register a fishing vessel within five years of the granting of the aid.
In the event of temporary cessation of fishing activities, fishermen will be eligible for compensation for a maximum of 12 months per vessel or per fisherman during the programming period (the Commission proposed a duration of six months).
Allocation of funds. EUR 5.3 billion will be allocated to the management of fisheries, aquaculture, and fishing fleets (and the rest will cover measures such as scientific advice and monitoring). Parliament campaigned in vain for a 10% increase in the total envelope. The 2014-2020 EMFF budget is EUR 6.4 billion.
Member States will have to spend at least 15% of these funds on control and enforcement operations, including the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. At least 30% of the financing must be used for climate action.
The new EMFF will cofinance projects (alongside national funds) at 70% (cofinancing rate), an issue that has long divided the EU institutions.
Other provisions: - Member States will have to prepare an action plan for each of their outermost regions, and specific budget allocations will be provided; - support may be granted for the storage of fishery products (storage aid) in the event of exceptional events leading to a significant market disturbance.
No to harmful subsidies. Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius welcomed the fact that “ we made sure that no subsidy at EU level would risk harmful effects leading to overfishing and overcapacity, something the Commission has been most vigilant about throughout the process. This agreement also sends a strong signal for the ongoing negotiations on fisheries subsidies at the WTO level”.
Parliamentary rapporteur Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spain) said the balanced agreement reached will allow “the EU fleet to fish better, not more”. This will make it possible to invest “in the safety and well-being of workers and in environmentally friendly engines and vessels”. Moreover, generational renewal is possible, “while avoiding overcapacity and overfishing”.
“We are creating the safest and simplest possible conditions to help our fishermen and coastal communities continue transitioning to stable, profitable and environmentally friendly value chains”, said Julia Klöckner, German Federal Minister of Agriculture.
The professional organisation Europêche, which welcomed the compromise reached, points out that the fund “will continue financing operations to modernise and improve energy efficiency, health, safety, and working conditions for all fleets, regardless of the size of the vessel. Only three specific operations will be exclusively granted to vessels below 24 metres”, namely: the replacement of engines, aid for first vessel acquisition by young fishermen, and operations requiring more space on board (renovation of accommodations).
Parliament and the EU Council have yet to adopt the regulation, which will take effect on 1 January 2021. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)