European Fisheries Fund

The European Fisheries Fund in Malta

The European Commission has approved the first version of the Fisheries Operational Programme for Malta for the period 2007-2013 on the 10^th December 2008. Following the designation of the Funds and Programmes Division as Managing Authority of the European Fisheries Fund (2007-2013) in January 2012, a revised version of the Operational Programme was submitted to the European Commission for approval, which document was approved by the EC in May 2012. The total eligible public expenditure of the Programme amounts to €11,163,105, with EU assistance from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to €8,372,329.

Malta’s Operational Programme has been prepared in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1198/2006 and plans to implement three axes of the EFF together with the technical assistance measure. The Priority Axes adopted for Malta’s EFF Operational Programme are as follows:

• Priority Axis 1 – Adaptation of the Community fishing fleet: Budget €2,900,000 (EU and MT share)
• Priority Axis 2 – Aquaculture, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products: Budget €2,277,000 (EU and MT share) 
• Priority Axis 3 – Measures of common interest: Budget €5,460,105 (EU and MT share) 
• Priority Axis 4 – N/A 
• Priority Axis 5 – Technical Assistance: Budget  €526,000 (EU and MT share)

During 2004-2006, Malta benefited from EU support under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). The projects co-funded under the FIFG concerned the adjustment and modernisation of the fishing fleet, the development of aquaculture, processing and marketing, as well as the improvement of fishing port facilities.  Examples of successful projects include the establishment of a maintenance and repair facility for fishing vessels and the installation of cold store equipment to improve the quality, and thus increase the value, of fisheries products.

The new EU Programme for 2007-2013 aims to build on the achievements of the previous programme. In accordance with the EU’s strategic guidelines, Malta’s EFF Operational Programme will contribute to important objectives such as achieving a sustainable fishing effort, diversification of the fisheries product, increasing the competitiveness of the sector, enhancement of fishing skills, the safeguarding of jobs, improved working conditions and the application of increased innovation.

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