EU Operational Programmes for Fisheries and Aquaculture The European Commission has approved the Operational Programme for development of the Danish, Lithuanian, Latvian and Slovak fisheries and aquaculture sector for 2007-2013.
Denmark
The total eligible public expenditure of the
programme is € 267,350,338, with EU assistance through the European
Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to € 133,675,169. The programme covers the entire territory of Denmark which is designated as a whole as a non-convergence region. During 2000-2006 Denmark benefited from EU support under the Financial
Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) of more than € 189 million. As a result, by the end of the year 2006 support had been given to more
than 1,400 projects for the modernisation of vessels, 245 projects for
new and existing processing plants and 160 projects for new and
existing port facilities. Support was also given to decommissioning
vessels, aquaculture, marketing and pilot projects.
The new EFF programme for 2007-2013 will create the framework for
achieving the maximum possible long-term yield from the Danish
fisheries and aquaculture sector using resources in a sustainable way
and integrating the perspective of regional development. Priority 1: Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet The objective of this axis is to contribute to
sustainable exploitation of fishing resources, while at the same time
helping the sector to develop and become more competitive. Thus, it aims at creating an efficient, up-to-date fleet which manages fishing activities and resources in a sustainable way.
Support will be granted for reducing the impact of fishing on the
marine environment, reducing discards and un-wanted by-catches,
improving the working environment and reducing the risk of occupational
accidents, and for carrying out activities that will encourage young
people to seek employment in the fisheries sector.
Priority 2: Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products The aquaculture sector has considerable potential for growth in Denmark and represents a central element under this axis.
The programme will provide support for innovation, skills development,
reduction of the impact on the natural environment and establishment of
new types of partnership which can help realise the potential for
sustainable growth in this sub-sector. Similar activities will be supported for the processing and marketing
sector, where the general goal is to increase the value added.
Improvement of the working environment and the reduction of
occupational accidents are also targeted.
Priority 3: Measures of common interest Under this axis, a pivotal element is ensuring the
competitiveness and profitability of enterprises in all areas of the
fisheries sector within the framework of biological sustainability and
with regard to the development of fisheries areas. The main objectives are a high level of integrated service at the
strategic fishing ports, as well as basic service functions in niche
ports, co-operation throughout the value chain regarding market
information, customer requirements and product development, support for
consumer health, increasing value added within the processing,
wholesale and retail sectors, and promoting a wide range of seafood
products in the retail sector.
Priority 4: Sustainable development of fisheries areas This axis aims at maintaining employment in fisheries areas, creating a
framework for a diversified industry, making fisheries areas attractive
both ecologically and socially for industrial and residential
development, and optimising the level of training and skills throughout
the fisheries and aquaculture sector.These objectives will be implemented via local development strategies set up by fisheries groups.
Priority 5: Technical assistance This axis aims at supporting the administration,
implementation, monitoring and control of the programme with a view to
guaranteeing its sound and efficient management.
LithuaniaThe total eligible public expenditure of the
programme is € 71,256,575, with EU assistance through the EFF amounting
to € 54,713,408. The programme covers the entire territory of Lithuania which is designated as a whole as a convergence region.
During 2000-2006 Lithuania benefited from EU support under the
Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) of over € 12 million. As a result, 31 vessels were scrapped, reducing the Baltic high seas fleet by 43%. 45 fishers were granted compensation. The first fish auction was established, and 2 producer organizations,
13 aquaculture enterprises and 1 processing enterprise were supported. Two projects for the protection and development of living aquatic resources are also currently being implemented.
The new EU programme for 2007-2013 aims to promote sustainable
development and enhance the competitiveness of the Lithuanian fisheries
sector by ensuring its economic, environmental and social
sustainability and by protecting and, where necessary, restoring fish
resources.
Priority 1: Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet This priority axis aims to adjust fishing capacity
to fishing possibilities and create a modern, competitive and efficient
fishing fleet.Measures foreseen include support for the permanent and temporary
cessation of fishing activities, and investments in modernization on
board vessels, including engine replacement to improve energy
efficiency and to introduce more selective fishing methods.Socio-economic measures will facilitate the entry of young fishers into
the sector and will provide compensation for loss of jobs due to the
permanent cessation of fishing activities and for early departure from
the fishing sector.
Priority 2: Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products The objective of this axis is to develop sustainable
aquaculture and fish processing sectors, mainly through productive
investments, but also using aqua-environmental and animal health
measures. For inland waters, the goal is to achieve a balance between fishing
capacity and current fish stocks and to assist with the creation of a
competitive fleet.In addition to investments in facilities and on board fishing vessels,
support for inland fishing will also cover compensation for
reassignment of vessels to other activities and for temporary cessation
of fishing activities. Priority 3: Measures of common interest This axis supports measures of common interest with
a broader scope than measures normally undertaken by private
enterprises and which help to meet the objectives of the Common
Fisheries Policy. Special focus is placed on development of fishing ports and landing
sites, protection and development of aquatic fauna and flora, promotion
of marketing measures, and pilot projects, as well as collective
actions, including support for producer organizations.
Priority 4: Sustainable development of fisheries areas This axis aims at facilitating the sustainable
development of fisheries areas and at improving the quality of life
through initiatives by local fisheries groups. To achieve these
objectives, support will be given in the framework of local development
strategies for the diversification of activities, the development of
tourism, in particular eco-tourism, increasing added value to fisheries
products, the dissemination of innovation, developing coastal hamlets
and villages, protecting natural and architectural heritage, and
training for employees in the fisheries sector.
Priority 5: Technical assistance Support is provided under this axis to ensure that
the management, control and monitoring systems of the operational
programme function efficiently and that EFF support is implemented in
an appropriate manner.
LatviaThe total eligible public expenditure of the
programme is € 166 687 419, with EU assistance through the European
Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to € 125 015 563. The programme covers the entire territory of Latvia which is designated as a whole as a convergence region.
During 2004-2006, Latvia benefited from EU support under the Financial
Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) of over € 24 million. As a result, by the end of 2006, over 380 projects were supported: 48
fishing vessels were scrapped and 4 fishing vessels reassigned, three
fishing ports, 21 fish processing enterprise and 15 aquaculture
enterprises were modernised. More than 110 fishermen received compensation for the loss of their jobs due to the permanent cessation of fishing activities. The new EU programme for 2007-2013 builds on the success of the
previous programme and aims at promoting the sustainable development of
the fisheries sector and of areas where the fisheries sector is an
important activity, in particular by increasing the competitiveness of
the sector and adjusting fleet capacity to available fish resources.
Priority 1: Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet This priority axis aims at adjusting the fishing
fleet's capacity to the available fish resources, creating an
efficient, up-to-date fishing fleet which manages its fishing
activities and use of resources in a sustainable way.
Priority 2: Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products The objective of this axis is to promote an
environmentally friendly aquaculture sector, the sustainable use of
fish stocks in inland waters, and to enhance the competitiveness of the
processing sector.
Priority 3: Measures of common interest Measures under this axis are particularly aimed at
the promotion of partnership, co-operation and acquisition of
professional skills, and the protection and development of aquatic
fauna and flora. Particular attention is also paid to the improvement of the
infrastructure of fishing ports and landing sites, the development of
new markets and promotional campaigns.
Priority 4: Sustainable development of fisheries areas The objective of this axis is to develop and improve
in a sustainable way the quality of life and attractiveness of
fisheries areas at the initiative of local fisheries groups. The development of small-scale infrastructure and services related to
fisheries and tourism, the diversification of economic activities and
the recovery and development of small fisheries villages will be
financed under this priority axis.
Priority 5: Technical assistance Support is provided under this axis to ensure that
the management, control and monitoring systems of the operational
programme function efficiently and that the programme is implemented in
an appropriate manner. The establishment of a network of local
fisheries groups will be financed under this axis.
SlovakiaThe total eligible public expenditure of the
programme amounts to EUR 18,922,750, with EU assistance through the EFF
amounting to EUR 13,688,528. EUR 12,681,459 of the EFF assistance will
be allocated to the Convergence regions of the Slovak Republic (the
regions of Trnava, Nitra, Trencín, Banská Bystrica, Prešov and Košice)
and EUR 1,007,069 to the non-Convergence regions (Bratislava region). The programme covers the entire territory of the Slovak Republic which
is designated, apart for the region of Bratislava and the surrounding
districts, as a Convergence objective.
During the previous programming period, 2004 - 2006 the Slovak Republic
received EUR 1.8 million under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries
Guidance (FIFG). As a result, 21 projects were supported and 11 new
jobs created by the end of 2006.
The new EU programme for 2007 - 2013 aims to build on the success of
the previous programme and consolidate the preconditions for a
sustainable and competitive fisheries and aquaculture sector that
respects the environment and meets the demands of consumers and the
food industry. Priority 2: Aquaculture, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products This axis aims to encourage the modernisation,
innovation and restructuring of aquaculture, and to increase the
competitiveness of enterprises which process fisheries and aquaculture
products. The emphasis is on support for the processing of domestic production
and the enhancing human resources in the field of the fisheries through
lifelong learning.
Priority 3: Measures of common interest This axis seeks to support cooperation between
individual enterprises in the sector, to improve stability, and to
support the development of the market for fisheries products.
Priority 5: Technical assistance Support is provided under this axis to ensure
efficient implementation of the programme, through targeted publicity,
development of monitoring and evaluation systems, background studies,
external expertise and the evaluation of assistance. |