Commission proposes to simplify fisheries and aquaculture funding

21/09/2026

Today, the European Commission proposed a targeted amendment of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Regulation to simplify and facilitate access to funding for fishers and aquaculture producers. The amendment proposes:

Providing greater legal certainty and facilitate the testing of new technologies, including through new definitions for ‘energy transition’ and ‘pilot projects’ to facilitate the testing of new technologies.
Accelerating the energy transition of the EU fleet. The amendment makes engine‑replacement and modernisation rules more flexible and allows targeted support for pilot and research projects as well as investments in ports and infrastructure contributing to the sector’s energy transition.
Supporting generational renewal with increased aid intensity for young fishers and the removal of barriers to support the transfer of ownership of business.
Adding two new funding schemes:
- (i) a temporary cessation scheme to alleviate the socio-economic impact on fishers resulting from a reduction of at least 40% in the fishing opportunities allocated to the operator.
- (ii) a specific scheme targeting small‑scale fisheries to sustain viable small-scale coastal fishing and facilitate the diversification of the income of small-scale coastal fishers.
Raising the budgetary ceiling for fleet measures and permanent cessation from 15% to 30% of each Member State’s allocation, thereby granting Member States greater flexibility in programming additional financial allocations under these measures. Removing the budgetary ceiling for temporary cessation.
Strengthening environmental protection by encouraging support for the design, development and collective implementation of national strategies for marine protected areas and fishing restricted areas, the management of such areas, and the development of fisheries co-management schemes.
Ensuring full compliance with the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, making ineligible for EMFAF support any operator or vessel engaged in IUU fishing or fishing-related activities in support of IUU fishing, and fishing and fishing-related activities on the high seas outside the competence of a relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisation or Arrangement (RFMO/A).

Alongside the measures proposed by the Commission, Member States will continue to play an essential role in ensuring that administrative procedures on fishers, aquaculture producers and other beneficiaries remain limited and proportionate.

The EMFAF operates primarily on the principle of shared management, whereby the responsibility for allocating public resources rests mainly with the Member States. Under this model, the Commission sets the overall framework and eligibility criteria, but it is the Member States that attribute the budget to eligible operators – including fishers and aquaculture producers – through national programmes that reflect the specific socio‑economic conditions of their coastal and inland waters.

The proposed amendment stems from the EMFAF mid‑term evaluation, the results of the call for evidence, feedback from Member States and extensive stakeholder consultations. .

Next steps

The Commission proposal is now on the table of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union under the ordinary legislative procedure.

Background

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is the EU’s main financial instrument for fisheries and aquaculture, supporting the common fisheries policy (CFP), the EU’s maritime policy and its international commitments on ocean governance.

The EMFAF mid-term evaluation and feedback from Member States and Advisory Councils, outlined that halfway through the 2021–2027 period, some rules are difficult to apply, and certain funding opportunities are perceived as too rigid to unlock the investments the sector needs.

The EU ratified the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in June 2023. Completing its implementation requires aligning the EU legal framework via the EMFAF Regulation so that EU funding cannot contribute to any prohibited activity.

Costas Kadis, Commissioner for fisheries and oceans

“Today’s proposal puts the EU at the forefront of responsible fisheries policy. By simplifying the EMFAF rules and embedding the WTO’s new discipline on harmful subsidies, we protect our marine resources, support a green transition and, crucially, give young and small‑scale fishers a more accessible pathway into the sector. These amendments will reduce unnecessary red tape, ensure that public money advances climate‑neutral technologies, and safeguard the livelihoods of coastal communities.”