The Council of the European Union (EU) and the European Parliament have reached an interim agreement on how Member States can spend the funds allocated to fisheries and aquaculture in the period 2021-2027.

With the total amount of 6.1 billion euros, the EMFF 2021-2027 will be mainly used (5.3 billion euros) for the management of fisheries, aquaculture and fishing fleets, while the remaining amount will cover measures such as scientific advice, checks and verifications, market intelligence, maritime surveillance and security.

Member States will have to spend at least 15 percent of the money to be received on efficient control and enforcement of fisheries, including the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. I

n accordance with the European Ecological Pact, activities under the fund will have to contribute to the overall budgetary objective of devoting 30 percent of the funds to climate action.

The new EMFF will particularly support small-scale coastal fishing and vessels up to 24 metres, as well as promote aquaculture. The EMFF is one of the five European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) seeking to promote employment-based growth and recovery in Europe.

So far, the EMFF has, in particular, helped fishermen in the transition to sustainable fishing, supported coastal communities in diversifying their economies, financed projects that create new jobs and improve the quality of life along the European coast and supported the evolution of sustainable aquaculture.