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EU Cash to Support Fish Industries
EU - The European Commission has approved the Operational Programmes for the Fisheries Industry in Portugal, Estonia, Romania and Italy for 2007-2013.
In Portugal, the total eligible public expenditure of the programme is € 324.9 million, with EU assistance through the EFF amounting to € 246.5 million. € 223.9 million of the EFF assistance will be allocated to the convergence regions of Portugal (Norte, Centro, Alentejo, Algarve and the Azores) and €€ 22.5 millions to the non-convergence regions (Lisbon & Madeira).
During 2000-2006 Portugal benefited from EU support under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) of over €239 million. As a result over than 4,200 projects were supported, more than 1,500 jobs were created or maintained and 170 companies were maintained by the end of the year 2006.
In Estonia, the total eligible public expenditure of the programme is € 112 757 386, with EU assistance through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to € 84 568 039.
Between 2004 and 2006, Estonia benefited from EU support of approximately € 12.5 million and 249 projects were supported, 73 new jobs were created and 128 jobs were maintained.
In the Romanian the programme is €307,618,942, with EU assistance through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to € 230,714,207.
The programme covers the entire territory of Romania which is designated as a whole as convergence region.
The EFF will support Romania as a new EU Member State and is aimed to develop a competitive, modern and dynamic fisheries sector, based on sustainable fishing and aquaculture activities, while also taking account of other important aspects such as environmental protection, the demands of the consumers and the food industry.
The programme is also expected to increase the competitiveness of the fisheries sector, encourage job creation and promote the growth of the aquaculture industry.
In Italy, the public expenditure programme is € 848,685,708, with EU assistance through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to € 424,342,854.
The programme covers the entire Italian territory. A total of € 318,281,864 of the EFF assistance will be allocated to the convergence regions of Italy and € 106,060,990 to the non-convergence regions.
During 2000-2006 Italy received around € 410 million. As a result more than 5,200 projects were supported and approximately 30,300 jobs were maintained in marine fisheries. The new EU programme for 2007-2013 aims to build on the success of the previous programmes in all the countries and consolidate the preconditions for a viable fisheries and aquaculture sector that respects the environment and meets the demands of consumers and the food industry.
The money will go toward projects for the adaptation of the EU fishing fleet, aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, sustainable development of fisheries areas and technical assistance.
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