European Funds for Fisheries. Calls for funding applications begin

The Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture has announced that as of December 2023. Calls for applications for funding under the “European Funds for Fisheries” program will begin. As a reminder, this program approved by the European Commission for 2021-2027, with a budget of €732 million, aims to promote sustainable fisheries, protect marine resources, ensure food security, implement the European Green Deal, strengthen the resilience of the fishing sector and develop the blue economy. The “European Funds for Fisheries” program is aimed at fishermen, local action groups, fishing organizations, producers and scientific institutions.

European Funds for Fisheries – types of activities and dates of calls for proposals

1.7 Permanent cessation of fishing activities – loss of a job on a fishing vessel and 1.7 Permanent cessation of fishing activities – scrapping or retraining of a fishing vessel – European Funds for Fisheries, call for applications from December 1 to 29, 2023.

To receive assistance under these measures, applicants must meet two main criteria. First, the aid is for shipowners and fishermen who have lost their jobs on a ship (scrapped or retrained). Secondly, documentation is required that they worked at sea on such a vessel for at least 90 days in each of the two years preceding the submission of documents.

Shipowners of vessels that have been scrapped or retrained, or fishermen who have worked on such vessels for at least 10 years, may be granted financial support for a minimum of 60 months in the amount of up to 200,000. PLN. For those with at least 5 years of work experience, the aid can reach 100,000. PLN.

2.3 Environmental Aquaculture – European Fisheries Funds, call for applications from December 4 to 20, 2023.

Under Measure 2.3 “Environmental Aquaculture,” under the group of operations 2.3.1 “Aquatic Environmental Compensation,” funding may be sought for activities that go beyond the basic principles of good fishing practice: use of appropriate carp stocking rates, timely submission of statistical reports on the area and production of fish ponds, maintenance of a pond book, possession of a veterinary number and a document on completion of fish welfare training, and possession or application for a water permit. Commitments beyond the standard rules of good fishing practice can be implemented through various packages:

• Package 1 – basic: annual fish weight gain of less than 1,500 kg/ha and regular mowing of dikes.
• Package 2 – expanded: production of additional fish species or maintenance of an educational path with stops.
• Package 3 – NATURA 2000: applies to fish ponds located in a NATURA 2000 area.

You can pursue only Package 1, Package 1 in combination with Package 2 or 3, or all three at the same time.

Financial assistance will be granted when fishing activity obligations are implemented in breeding facilities of at least 1 hectare, and the applicant undertakes to comply with the principles of good fishing practice in all areas of breeding. The amount of aid granted each year for 5 years depends on the package being implemented:

• PLN 75.92/year/ha for Package 1;
• PLN 283.43/year/ha for Package 2 (additional fish species);
• PLN 17,942.12/year for Package 2 (educational path);
• PLN 183.08/year/ha for Package 3 (NATURA 2000).

If more than one package is implemented, the amount of aid will be the sum of the amounts for each package.

2.7 Conscious Consumer – European Funds for Fisheries, call for applications from December 4 to 18, 2023.

Under Measure 2.7, “Conscious Consumer,” applications can be submitted for funding for a variety of activities related to the promotion and development of the market for fish products and raising consumer awareness. These activities include:

1. Organization of a national or international information or promotional campaign, or participation as an exhibitor in national or international trade fairs and exhibitions.
2. improving the conditions for marketing fish products or marketing new fish products, or finding new customers.
3. Preparation of documentation related to the application for registration of the product in question.
4. Carry out certification or maintain certification in sustainable fishing or aquaculture, processing or supply chain of fish products.
5. Conducting research and analysis on fish raw material used in processing, international trade in fish products, market trends, consumer preferences in the consumption of fish products.
6. Development of good hygiene practice recommendations and guidelines for use and directions for changes in trade and testing standards applied to fish products.
7. Developing assumptions for a traceability system for fish products.
8. Purchase or upgrade and implement a fish product traceability system, including the purchase of relevant hardware and software.

The amount of aid under Measure 2.7 is granted in the form of reimbursement of eligible costs:

• Up to 100% of these costs for the minister responsible for fisheries.
• Up to 95% of these costs, but no more than PLN 15 million per operation, for those aimed at increasing demand and competitiveness of domestic fish products in the domestic and international markets and meeting certain criteria.

1.10 Fishery data collection – European Funds for Fisheries, call for proposals from December 7 to 21, 2023.

Support under this measure is granted for purposes related to the collection, analysis, and use of marine fisheries, inland fisheries, aquaculture data and management, as well as research and innovation programs in these areas.

Eligible entities are:

1. scientific institute designated in regulations issued under the Law on Marine Fisheries,
2. Minister responsible for fisheries.

Support is provided in the form of reimbursement of eligible costs up to 100% of such costs or financing on the basis of unit rates.

All applications must be submitted via the ICT system, i.e. CST2021 system in the WOD2021 application – on the form in it provided by ARMA.