Following the adoption of the Partnership Agreement 2021-2027 with Finland, the Commission adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Program for Finland, to implement the EU common fisheries policy (CFP) and EU policy priorities outlined in the European Union. Green Deal.
The total financial allocation for the Finnish program 2021-2027 is €140.3 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution amounts to €71.8 million. The fund will promote the sustainable growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Finland and by encouraging modernization and innovation.
More concretely, the program will support the availability of domestic fish and the development of small fishing activities; research and innovation to improve efficiency and digitization throughout the value chain; and the protection of biodiversity and the status of fish stocks.
The Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “I am happy to announce this new EMFAF program that will support innovative projects in Finland, which will facilitate a green and digital transition in the sectors in fishing and aquaculture. Finland is a strong advocate of sustainability and modernization. I am confident that the program will protect the marine environment and conditions for maintaining fish, while supporting the profitability of the industry.”
EMFAF supports competitive and innovative fisheries and aquaculture
The program is built on several “ambitions”, adapted to the context of Finnish sea basins and inland waters.
- support the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Finland by investing in projects that protect the conditions for the main production conditions and that stimulate innovation and digitalization
- protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable practices to ensure sustainable use of fish stocks and sustainable environmental standards
- double Finnish aquaculture production by 2030, in line with the EU aquaculture strategic guidelines 2021-2030 by improving licensing, location management, circular economy solutions, new technologies and permits based on emissions.
- improve the stability and profitability of the aquaculture and processing sector and contribute to the development of traceability and control of fish products.
Main expected results for 2021-2027
The program aims to increase Finnish fish consumption to two doses per person per week by 2030. The program also plans to encourage modernization and innovation and to strengthen environmental protection.
EMFAF also strives to develop collective fisheries knowledge and promote innovation through partnerships between businesses and between private and public actors. The program envisages research and development projects to contribute to the protection of biodiversity and the restoration of aquatic ecosystems. These projects will support the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Finnish Prioritized Action Framework goals.
33 percent of the total EMFAF allocation will be dedicated to environmental measures and investments and 20 percent will be invested in sustainable aquaculture, contributing to the EU’s environmental and climate goals. Endangered fish species can be protected by improving fishing selectivity and marine life can be better protected by removing lost fishing gear and marine litter in general.
Overall, the Finnish EMFAF program will strengthen the stability of the fishing, aquaculture and processing sectors by helping stakeholders to improve productivity and profitability at the same time as fulfilling their environmental responsibilities and climate. The fund also provides a safety net in times of crisis by mitigating the effects experienced by the sector, as seen from the Covid-19 pandemic.