The EMFF is the EU fund for its maritime and fisheries policies, running from 2014 to 2020. (Information on funding after 2020 is available here.

It is one of the five European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds which complement each other and seek to promote a growth and job-based recovery in Europe.

For aquaculture, the fund

• supports sustainable aquaculture developments
• supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies
• finances projects that create new jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts
• makes it easier for applicants to access financing from other sources

How it works

The Fund is used to co-finance projects, along with national funding.

• Each country is allocated a share of the total Fund budget, based on the size of its fishing & seafood industry.
• Each country then draws up an operational programme, saying how it intends to spend the money.
• Once the Commission approves this programme, it is up to the national authorities to decide which projects will be funded.
• The national authorities and the Commission are jointly responsible for the implementation of the programme

EMFF implementation

• Committee and Expert Group on the EMFF – guidance documents
• The Open Data Portal for the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds)
• List of beneficiaries of the EMFF

• EMFF post-2020 proposal
• The European Maritime And Fisheries Fund 2014-2020