EU adopts €239 million investment package for the Irish fisheries and aquaculture sectors
date: 08/12/2015
Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella stressed the programme's contribution to sustainable growth: “I welcome the adoption of the Irish EMFF programme to support fisheries, aquaculture and maritime projects that are environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and economically viable. These smart investments will benefit fishermen, fish farmers and processors, as well as Irish coastal communities. They will maintain and create jobs in the maritime economy while preserving the unique environment in the Irish seas".
The adopted programme will support the implementation of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and Integrated Maritime Policy in Ireland.
Funding aims at making the Irish fisheries and aquaculture sectors more competitive and sustainable, by fostering innovation, skills and a more efficient and sustainable use of resources. Funding will also help Irish fishermen to adapt to the EU's newly introduced landing obligations and to better organise themselves to add value to their catches.
Funding for aquaculture will support innovation, productive investments and a reduction of the administrative burden, thereby giving a boost to the sector.
Finally, significantly higher support for local development initiatives will provide small-scale fishermen and local coastal communities with more opportunities for a better livelihood, by adding value to their fishing activities and diversifying their economies.
Ireland has a major responsibility in enforcing the rules of the CFP, but also in providing sound data for the management of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Funding will be used to develop new IT tools and technologies to support control and enforcement, to improve the collection, management and use of data that are vital for a sustainable fisheries sector, and to build knowledge to better protect the marine environment in Ireland.
Background
- Total Operational Programme budget: € 239 265 133
- Total EU contribution: € 147 601 979
Ireland’s Fisheries Operational Programme priorities:
- Promoting environmentally sustainable, resource efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge based fisheries – € 33.5 million;
- Fostering environmentally sustainable, resource efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge based aquaculture – € 14.9 million;
- Implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) – € 69.8 million;
- Increasing employment and territorial cohesion – € 6 million;
- Fostering marketing and processing – € 17.3 million;
- Implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) – € 5.3 million;
- Technical assistance – € 0.8 million.
More information