The European Commission has proposed an amendment to the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Regulation it claims would simplify funding for the bloc’s commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors.
“Today’s proposal puts the E.U. at the forefront of responsible fisheries policy. By simplifying the EMFAF rules and embedding the [World Trade Organization’s] new discipline on harmful subsidies, we protect our marine resources, support a green transition and, crucially, give young and small‑scale fishers a more accessible pathway into the sector,” E.U. Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis said in a statement. “These amendments will reduce unnecessary red tape, ensure that public money advances climate‑neutral technologies, and safeguard the livelihoods of coastal communities.”
EMFAF, which entered into force in 2021, provides financial support for innovative projects in support of the E.U.’s common fisheries policy (CFP). The fund was given a budget of EUR 6.1 billion (USD 7 billion) from 2021 through 2027. This year, the fund has also been repurposed to offset higher fuel prices caused by the war on Iran, with the European Commission allowing member states to use compensate fishers for the difference in fuel costs with EMFAF money.
The amendment being considered by the commission would codify the WTO’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies into E.U. law. The amendment would also address issues raised in a mid-term evaluation, which suggested some EMFAF rules are difficult to apply, and funding requirements were too rigid for some companies to access.
According to the commission, the amendment includes new definitions for “energy transition” and “pilot projects” to provide greater legal certainty for testing new technologies, increases flexibility for engine replacement and modernization, invests in ports and infrastructure energy transition, and supports younger fishers looking to enter the industry. It would also raise the budgetary ceiling for fleet measures and permanent cessation from 15 percent to 30 percent, while removing the budgetary ceiling for temporary cessation.
The commission also wants to add two new funding schemes: a temporary cessation scheme to support fishers when fishing opportunities have reduced by at least 40 percent, and a specific scheme supporting the diversification of income for small-scale coastal fishers.
