Austria has been given €6.7 million in EU funding to help promote sustainable inland fisheries, aquaculture, processing and conserve aquatic resources.
The European Commission has adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Programme for the country and will implement the EU common fisheries policy and priorities outlined in the European Green Deal. The total financial allocation for the Austrian Programme 2021-2027 is €15 million over the next six years, with the EU contributing almost half.
“The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund supports innovative projects contributing to the sustainable management of aquatic resources, also in landlocked member states, such as Austria,” said Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius.
“Through this programme Austria will continue its excellent record of building a resilient, sustainable and low-carbon inland fisheries, aquaculture and processing sector, supporting Europe’s objective of decarbonising our economy.”
Key expected outcomes
During the EMFAF implementation period, about five projects will get under way, helping around 54 organisations in the aquaculture and processing sectors improve efficiency. Around two thirds of the funding will be used to reduce the impacts of climate change and safeguard biodiversity.
Thanks to the fund, sustainable production in the aquaculture sector should increase by around 800 tonnes per year. There are 33 operations planned in the field of promoting marketing, quality and value added of fisheries and aquaculture products, as well as processing of these products.
The projects will also focus on data collection, management and exchange, and improving traceability.
