News Digest n.4 / 2023
EMFAF call for proposals for Scientific Advice on Fisheries is open
The European Commission launched a new call for proposals under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund with EU co-funding of EUR 2.6 million. The overall aim of the call is to promote the development and the strengthening of the scientific knowledge needed for fisheries conservation and management measures in support of the Common Fisheries Policy. Applicants can submit their proposals until 19 September 2023.
New Fisheries Food Safety Hub launched by IICA and CRFM under EU-funded project
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), in partnership with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) have announced the launch of a new Fisheries Food Safety Hub, developed with funding from the European Union (EU) under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Project. The purpose of the Fisheries Food Safety Hub is to increase accessibility to fisheries food safety compliance materials.
InvestEU: €28 million for the first Blue Economy instrument in Portugal
The Growth Blue I fund, signed in Portugal in March, is the first fund signed under the new InvestEU Blue Economy instrument focusing on southern Europe. Growth Blue will be funded with €28 million from both national public resources through Fundo Azul, and European Investment Fund (EIF) resources supported by InvestEU Blue Economy instrument. The fund has a broad sectorial focus with a preference for companies operating in the value chain of seafood, offshore energy, shipping, ports and blue biotechnology contributing to decarbonisation, reducing ocean contamination and conservation of marine ecosystems
State aid: Commission adopts revised rules for fishery and aquaculture sector
The European Commission has adopted revised Guidelines for State aid in the fishery and aquaculture sector ('Fisheries Guidelines'). The new State aid rules help Member States to meet the ambitious EU green targets by improving energy efficiency and mitigating the effect of climate change, without undue distortions of competition in the Single Market. The new Guidelines were endorsed by the Commission in December 2022 and are applicable from April 2023.
The EU and Norway signed three bilateral agreements including quota setting in the Skagerrak and the Kattegat, the exchanges of quotas between the two parties, and reciprocal access to waters for fishers. The EU and Norway also took the opportunity to secure an ambitious balance of exchanges of fishing opportunities. Among other stocks, the EU will receive 9,150 tonnes of Arctic cod for 2023, while transferring 74,000 tonnes of blue whiting to Norway.
The EMFAF Programme for Slovakia will help build a stronger aquaculture and processing sector in Slovakia, support innovation in productive investments, help the decarbonisation of the sectors by improving their energy efficiency, improve the market organisation and increase profitability and sustainability of the entire market chain, enhancing the role of aquaculture farms as providers of environmental services, while also ensuring the improved traceability of fish products. The total financial allocation for the Slovak programme 2021-2027 is €20.4 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution accounts for €15.2 million.
WiSA awards celebrate female aquaculture success
The WiSA network – which was founded by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) on International Women’s Day 2019 – represents all areas of the sector – from producers and the supply chain to academia – and continues to champion the diverse range of career opportunities for women in aquaculture. Championing diversity and the role of women in delivering one of Scotland’s most valuable exports, Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) has announced a series of awards for inspirational female figures from across the sector. Awards provide a great opportunity to celebrate the important role that women play across typically male-dominated sector.
