As this funding period draws to an end, Europe will see a variety of new opportunities for research and development. The European Commission have expressed keen interest in funding sustainable aquaculture, indicating a new era of development in fisheries.
As part of the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Commission propose the renewal of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund in order to continue the European Union’s international commitments in the field of ocean governance. The European Parliament have suggested a €6.14bn investment in the aquaculture sector for the 2021-2027 period.
In an interview with Innovation News Network, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius said: “A sustainable blue economy is at the heart of the European Green Deal. Oceans are an essential source of food, energy, and materials. We must avoid that this leads to over-exploitation or biodiversity-related problems.
“We must engage into a real sustainable blue economy, integrating and enhancing our knowledge on marine ecosystems and on ecosystem services, and fully considering it in maritime spatial planning.”
What type of projects are the Commission looking to fund?
The European Commission have expressed interest in a wide variety of research areas. With a focus on funding sustainable aquaculture and fish health, the Commission are looking to fund projects that offer innovative solutions to a wide variety of areas, such as:
- Sea lice
- Sustainable fishing vessels
- Food security
- Expanding marine and coastal aquaculture
- Data management of fish farms
- Innovation
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Alternative ocean based resources
- Biomaterials
How will the funding be distributed?
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund is allocated to Member State based on the size of their aquaculture sector. Based on funding allocations from the last period, the countries that are due to receive the most funding include:
- Spain
- France
- Italy
- Poland
- Norway
- Portugal
- UK
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Netherlands
The European Commission have also suggested that 48% of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will be used to fund sustainable aquaculture and sustainable fisheries.
Click here to find out how to apply for funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
