For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the Commission is proposing €6.14 billion under a simpler, more flexible fund for European fisheries and the maritime economy.

Fisheries are vital to the livelihood and cultural heritage of many coastal communities in the EU. Together with aquaculture, they also contribute to food security and nutrition. A particular focus of the Fund will be to support small-scale coastal fishermen, with vessels below 12 metres, which represent half of European employment in the fishing sector. Since the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2014, progress has been made in bringing fish stocks back to healthy levels, in increasing the profitability of the EU's fishing industry, and in conserving marine ecosystems. The new Fund will continue to support these socio-economic and environmental objectives.

As regards the maritime economy, the Commission proposes to strengthen its support compared to the 2014-2020 period. This is a high-potential economic sector whose worldwide output is estimated at €1.3 trillion today and could more than double by 2030. The maritime fund will enable investment in new maritime markets, technologies and services such as ocean energy and marine biotechnology. Coastal communities will receive more and broader support to set up local partnerships and technology transfers in all blue economy sectors, including aquaculture and coastal tourism.

In the context of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Union has also committed at international level to make seas and oceans safer, more secure, cleaner and more sustainably managed. The new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will support these commitments for better international ocean governance. It will, among others, also provide the necessary funding to improve maritime surveillance, security and coastguard cooperation.

To ensure that the fund is both efficient and effective, it comprises several new features, such as:

• Simplification and a wider choice for Member States, who will now be able to target support to their strategic priorities, instead of having to choose from a ‘menu' of eligible actions.
• Better alignment with other European Union funds. Rules applying to all structural and investment funds are set out in a Common Provisions Regulation.
• A better targeting of support to the achievement of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES OF EMFF?

The EMFF will support the implementation of the CFP (Common Fisheries Policy) and of the Union's maritime policy along four priorities:

1. Fostering sustainable fisheries and the conservation of marine biological resources;
2. Contributing to food security in the Union through competitive and sustainable aquaculture and markets; 
3. Enabling the growth of a sustainable blue economy and fostering prosperous coastal communities;
4. Strengthening international ocean governance and enabling safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed seas and oceans.

In addition, the EMFF will support voluntary contributions to international organisations and technical assistance.

For information on how B2EU Consulting could support your organisation in developing a funding strategy and in unlocking different financing tools for your operation in the maritime and fisheries sector, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: info@b2eu-consulting.com.