Brussels grants 1.57 billion euros for the fishing sector

A good portion of these funds will go to the Canary Islands, especially for structural investments for small fishing companies.

EFE

November 29 2022 (20:25 WET)
Updated in November 29 2022 (20:30 WET)
Tuna boat in Puerto Naos
Tuna boat in Puerto Naos

The European Union's Commissioner for Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevicius, announced this Tuesday an "important financial aid" for Spain within the framework of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund for the period 2021-2027 of 1.57 billion euros, of which the contribution from the European Union (EU) represents 1.12 billion euros.

This allocation is the "largest of the Member States and will play a crucial role for the future of the fishing sector in Spain", the commissioner highlighted.

The allocation will be mostly dedicated to sustainable fishing, sustainable aquaculture and transformation, as well as the sustainable blue economy in coastal regions and the strengthening of international ocean governance.

The Spanish program will also focus on the Canary Islands, supporting this outermost region in structural investments aimed especially at small fishing companies, making the profession more attractive, added the Community Executive.

"It will emphasize the development of ecosystem-based management, improve digitization and energy efficiency, and train professionals accordingly," said Sinkevicius.

The commissioner added that it will "open new perspectives for the sustainable development of this important sector in Spain and, at the same time, guarantee the protection and restoration of biodiversity."

Specifically, 41.1% of the program's allocation will be dedicated to sustainable fishing, 35.5% will be invested in sustainable aquaculture and in transformation and commercialization, and 9.4% will be dedicated to the sustainable blue economy in coastal regions.

5.2% will be invested specifically in support of the Canary Islands, the fishing and aquaculture sectors of the islands, and 3.2% will be invested in strengthening the international governance of the oceans, all of which will contribute to the EU's environmental and climate objectives, according to the Commission.

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