The European Commission on Monday approved the Belgian component of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFFA). Belgium will receive €40.3 million to promote a sustainable model for fisheries and aquaculture.
The EMFFA is designed to help implement the European Maritime and Fisheries Policy, as part of its objectives under the EU Green Deal, in the current budget period (2021-2027). The fund supports the EU common fisheries policy (CFP).
An envelope of €68.3 million has now been set aside for the Belgian programme, of which the European Union will put €40.3 million on the table. The Commission has now given the go-ahead for this.
"This new programme will support a wide range of innovative projects in Belgium, supporting the green and digital transition of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors," said Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius. "The Belgian fisheries sector will be encouraged to become more energy efficient and reduce its CO2 emissions, and will receive support to improve health, safety and working conditions on board and to hire highly skilled workers."
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Aquaculture - the growing and rearing of aquatic plants and animals - should be able to better adapt to climate change and become more professional thanks to the programme. "I am confident that the programme will ensure the safeguarding of the marine environment and be able to conserve fish stocks, without losing sight of the profitability of the sector," Sinkevicius said.
More than half of the programme (57%) is earmarked for the sustainable conservation of the fisheries sector. This includes, for example, investments to meet the European landing obligation and prevent the discarding of illegally caught fish, as well as investments in fishing boats and data collection.
