Fisheries, aquaculture and maritime projects in the United Kingdom are a step closer to receiving support from the EU's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), following the country’s official launch of the fund.
Announced toward the end of 2015, the United Kingdom is set to receive EUR 310 million (USD 349.1 million) under the EMFF for the period 2014-2020, of which EUR 243 million (USD 273.3 million) will be EU funds.
The U.K. launch event was organized by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), which is the government body charged with managing the EMFF in the country. It was attended by the U.K. Marine and Fisheries Minister George Eustice and other government officials, as well as representatives from the European Commission and from the fisheries and wider marine sector.
Part of the available funding will go to help the country's fleet transition to sustainable and discard-free fisheries, while across the fisheries, aquaculture and processing supply chains, funds will be injected into innovation, onshore and offshore infrastructure and the efficient use of natural resources.
Small businesses will get easier access to capital and a new emphasis on site restoration will re-attract people to coastal areas. Local development initiatives such as Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) will be encouraged to diversify economies, bring added-value to fishing activities and make fisheries and aquaculture communities stronger.
Other funds are earmarked to develop IT tools and technologies for control and enforcement and to improve the traceability of fisheries products. Money will also be used to support the collection of fisheries data.
