With its myriad islands, variously estimated between 1,200 and 6,000, of which 227 are inhabited according to the EOT, Greece has 13,676 km of coastline, which is the largest in the Mediterranean basin. Despite the decline in fish stocks caused by overfishing and degradation of the marine environment, fishing continues to play a major part in the economies of many of these islands, still providing a livelihood for thousands of families, for many of whom it is the sole source of income. A recent agreement with the European Commission on funding for fisheries and aquaculture development should help to secure their future. (Haniotika Nea, 5th December)
The European Common Fisheries policy tries to balance the requirements of the maritime economy with modern trends towards conservation. The policy is currently implemented through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), which entered into force on 14th July 2021 and runs until 2027.
According to the European Commission’s Oceans and Fisheries website:
“As a global ocean actor and a major producer of seafood, the EU has a responsibility to protect and sustainably use the oceans and their resources. It is also in the EU’s socioeconomic interest to guarantee the availability of food supplies, the competitiveness of the maritime economy and the livelihood of coastal communities.
“The fund helps achieve sustainable fisheries and conserve marine biological resources. This leads to:
– food security through the supply of seafood products
– growth of a sustainable blue economy
– healthy, safe and sustainably managed seas and oceans
“It also helps achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 (‘conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources’), to which the EU is committed. Furthermore, the EMFAF helps fulfil the objectives of the European European Green Deal, the roadmap for the EU climate and environmental policies.”
Financial support for the Common Fisheries Policy
The fund’s total budget for 2021-2027 is €6.1 billion. Of this, €5.3 billion is provided through national programmes co-financed by the EU budget and EU countries, and €797 million is provided directly by the Commission. The funds are administered via national implementation programmes.
Greece was one of the first EU member states to submit a plan in 2021, and the funding for it has just been agreed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The total financial allocation for the Greek programme 2021-2027 is €519.6 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution accounts for €363.7 million.
Of this, €207.9 million (57%) will go to Sustainable fisheries, €91.2 million (25%) to Sustainable aquaculture and processing, €49.9 million (14%) to the Sustainable blue economy, €7 million (2%) to International ocean governance, and €7.6 million (2%) to Technical assistance.
According to the Oceans and Fisheries website, the Greek EMFAF programme will contribute to the EU policy priorities outlined in the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork, and Biodiversity strategies. It will support the resilience, development and diversification of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, using compensation schemes to support them against future crises.
It will also support the green transition of these sectors with investments aimed at improving the selectivity of fishing gear, health and safety, decarbonisation and energy efficiency. Investments in the modernisation of fishing ports will also be supported. The digital transition of the Greek fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors is a key area of the programme
The financial support will also help to develop and implement management plans for marine protected areas and Natura 2000 sites, and to fight against marine litter, encourage the removal of abandoned fishing gear and other waste, and limit the impact of marine invasive species.