European Fisheries Fund
The European Commission has introduced the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) from 2007 to 2013 which succeeds the 2000 to 2006 FIFG Structural Fund.
As proposed by the Commission, the fund will provide support for the fisheries sector by giving priority to four basic areas under six overall aims.
These aims are to:
- support the Common Fisheries Policy to ensure exploitation of living aquatic resources in a way which creates the necessary conditions for sustainability in economic, environmental and social terms;
- promote a sustainable balance between resources and fleet capacity;
- strengthen competitiveness and the development of economically viable enterprises in the sector;
- foster the protection of the environment and natural resources;
- encourage sustainable development and the improvement of the quality of life in marine, lake and coastal areas affected by fishing and aquaculture activities; and
- promote equality between women and men in the development of the sector and coastal fishing areas.
For the purposes of EFF, Northern Ireland is classed as an area with non-convergence status and has been allocated EFF grant-aid of approximately €18.1 million. EU support will be matched by national funding representing an investment of over €36 million in fisheries projects in Northern Ireland.
Support will be provided under EFF based on four priority axes. These are:
- adaptation of the Community fishing fleet;
- aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products;
- measures of collective benefit;
- sustainable development of fisheries areas.
On Monday 3 August 2009, DARD Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA announced the opening of the first three measures of the EFF. A further four measures have since opened for applications.
Measures currently open:
| Measure |
Opening date |
Closing date |
Budget |
| Collective Actions |
3 August 2009 |
31 March 2012 |
£2,416,000 |
| Productive Investments in Aquaculture |
3 August 2009 |
31 March 2012 |
£1,600,000 |
| Investments in Processing and Marketing |
3 August 2009 |
31 March 2012 |
£2,400,000 |
| Fishing Ports, Landing Sites and Shelters |
20 August 2009 |
31 March 2012 |
£3,500,000 |
| Investments on board fishing vessels and selectivity |
1 September 2010 |
31 March 2012 |
£2,400,000 |
| Small-scale coastal fishing |
23 February 2011 |
31 March 2012 |
£600,000 |
The current tranche of the European Fisheries Fund will be open from 9.00am on 11 January 2012 until 5.00pm on 31 March 2012.
Applications should be made online via the EU Grants Website. If you have any difficulty completing or submitting your form online please contact us. You may log in to the EU Grants Website at any time and amend your application until you click the 'submit' button at which point your application will be sent to us and you will not be able to change it.
Applicants who cannot access the site can download the documents below, complete the application forms manually and post them to the following address:
Fisheries Grants Unit
Room 422/425
Dundonald House
BELFAST
BT4 3SB
To view the EU regulation regarding the EFF, please click on the appropriate link below.
Further Information
