Italy and Lithuania have been given €518.2 million and €61.2 million respectively in EU funding to help promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture and stimulate innovation and growth.
The European Commission has adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Programme for the countries and will implement the EU common fisheries policy and priorities outlined in the European Green Deal.
The total financial allocation for the Italian programme 2021-2027 is €987.2 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution accounts for €518.2 million. Lithuania’s allocation is €87.4 million, with the EU contributing €61.2 million.
“The adoption of the EMFAF programme will support sustainable investments in aquaculture and fisheries and accelerate the green and digital transition of the sectors,” said Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius.
Aims and allocations
In Italy 48.9% of the programme’s allocation will be dedicated to sustainable fisheries, 32.8% invested in sustainable aquaculture and in processing and marketing, 10% dedicated to sustainable blue economy in coastal, island and internal regions and 1.4% invested in the strengthening of international ocean governance.
Lithuania will allocate around 38.5% of the funds to sustainable fisheries and the restoration and conservation of aquatic biological resources, 42.4% will be invested in aquaculture and 7.4% in processing and marketing.
The programme also sets a target for aquaculture enterprises to use at least 25% of renewable energy by 2030. Another focus will be scientific data collection and fisheries control and enforcement, in particular supporting digitalisation to improve traceability along the entire value chain.
Other goals for both countries are to protect marine biodiversity, promote sustainable practices, improve resilience and profitability and support the Blue Economy.
