The European fisheries fund (EFF) (2007-2013)

The European fisheries fund (EFF) provides funding to the fishing industry and coastal communities to help them adapt to changing conditions in the sector and become economically resilient and ecologically sustainable.

Part of the EU funding for fisheries goes to development of fisheries areas, here in Finland. © Lionel Flageul

The EFF has a budget of €4.3 billion for 2007-2013. Funding is available for all sectors of the industry – sea and inland fishing, aquaculture (the farming of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants), and processing and marketing of fisheries products. Particular attention is given to fishing communities most affected by recent changes in the industry.

Projects are funded on the basis of strategic plans and operational programmes drawn up by national authorities. There are five priority areas (axes) for EFF funding:

adjustment of the fleet (e.g. to support scrapping of fishing vessels)
aquaculture, processing and marketing, and inland fishing (e.g. to support the shift to more environmentally friendly production methods)
measures of common interest (e.g. to improve product traceability or labelling)
sustainable development of fisheries areas (e.g. to support diversification of the local economy)
technical assistance to finance the administration of the fund.

Further reading:

Official documents

Ex post evaluation of the European Fisheries Fund 2007-2013
Report from the Commission - Eighth annual report on implementation of the European Fisheries Fund (2014), COM(2015) 662 final
- SWD(2015) 295 final
COMMISSION DECISION of 6.10.2015 amending Decision C(2013) 4879 on the approval of the guidelines on the closure of operational programmes adopted for assistance from the European Fisheries Fund (2007-2013) - Annexes
Report from the Commission - Seventh annual report on implementation of the European Fisheries Fund (2013), COM(2014) 738 final
- SWD(2014) 352 final
Regulation (EU) No 335/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 on the European Fisheries Fund, as regards certain provisions relating to financial management for certain Member States experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability
Report from the Commission - Sixth annual report on implementation of the European Fisheries Fund (2012), COM(2013) 921 final
- SWD(2013) 533 final
Report from the Commission - Fifth annual report on implementation of the European Fisheries Fund (2011), COM(2012) 747 final
- SWD(2012) 424 final
Report from the Commission - Fourth annual report on implementation of the European Fisheries Fund (2010), COM(2011) 927 final
- SEC(2011) 1620
Report from the Commission - Third annual report on implementation of the European Fisheries Fund (2009), COM(2011) 37 final
- SEC(2011) 139 final
Report from the Commission - Second annual report on implementation of the European Fisheries Fund (2008), COM/2009/0696 final
- SEC(2009)1714
Report from the Commission - Annual report on implementation of the european fisheries fund (2007), COM/2009/6
Working paper on ex-ante evaluation for the EFF
Working paper on indicators for monitoring and evaluation: a practical guide for the EFF

Axis 4

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