06/01/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 6 January, the European Commission approved a €2.8 million Irish scheme to support the fisheries sector in the context of ‘Brexit’, says a statement. The aim of the scheme is to compensate owners of fishing capacity who voluntarily surrender their off-register capacity (i.e. capacity held on the owner’s account, but not allocated to a vessel), the Commission explains. The scheme will be in force until 31 December 2023. The aid will be given in the form of direct grants. The measure will be funded from the Brexit adjustment reserve, which was created to mitigate the economic and social impact of Brexit. The Commission found that “the scheme facilitates the development of economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest”, adds the press release. The decision had yet to be published on 6 January. (SP)