European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for the period 2014-2020 provides funding to the fishing industry and coastal communities to help them adapt to changing conditions in the sector and become economically resilient and ecologically sustainable. It is one of the five European Structural and Investment (ESI) funds which complement each other and seek to promote a growth and job based recovery in Europe. 

The EMFF is the financial instrument that will help deliver the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and that will support the implementation of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP). It focuses on the long-term strategic objectives of the two policies as follows: for the Common Fisheries Policy, contributing to sustainable and competitive fisheries and aquaculture; for the Integrated Maritime Policy, ensuring a consistent policy framework for the policy and contributing to a balanced and inclusive territorial development of fishing areas. In line with the Europe 2020 strategy, these broad objectives for 2014 – 2020 are structured around six priorities within the EMFF:

• Union Priority 1 – Promoting environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based fisheries
• Union Priority 2 – Fostering environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, innovative, competitive  and   knowledge-based aquaculture
• Union Priority 3 – Fostering the implementation of the CFP
• Union Priority 4 – Increasing employment and territorial cohesion
• Union Priority 5 – Fostering marketing and processing
• Union Priority 6 – Fostering the implementation of the IMP

The European Commission approved Malta’s Operational Programme for the funding period 2014 – 2020 on the 6^th March 2015, allowing Malta to invest €22,627,422 million (EMFF share) under this Operational Programme. The investment package will support smart and green fisheries and aquaculture, while strengthening the economic viability of businesses in the sector. The programme supports fishing communities by improving infrastructure and equipping fishermen with new skills and opportunities to help them diversify their business models.  

 

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