EMFF: European Parliament gives future to sustainable fishing sector

Today, the European Parliament adopted the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) at its plenary session in Strasbourg. This fund, worth €6.5 billion, provides the financial component of the Common Fisheries Policy reform for the period 2014-2020.

Authored by Alain Cadec MEP, this Report "gives a future to our European sustainable fisheries. The EMFF will not be an instrument for the reconversion of fishermen outside the fishing sector as the Commission proposed. On the contrary, it will enable the access of young fishermen into the fishing sector with start-up support. It will also enable the replacement of engines under conditions for a lower consumption and less CO2 emissions", said the Rapporteur after the vote.

"The EMFF, as adopted by the Parliament, will provide fishermen with the means to implement the Common Fisheries Policy reform in the framework of sustainable fishing. My Report gives financial support to reinforce the selectivity of fishing vessels. It also finances biological rest periods, supports temporary cessations of fishing activity when conservation measures are implemented and increases funds allocated to control and data collection.

The adoption of my Report is a success for the preservation of fisheries resources and for the competitiveness of the sector. I will defend these principles in the negotiations with the Council."