As a global ocean actor and a major producer of seafood, the EU has a responsibility to protect and sustainably use the oceans and their resources. It is also in the EU's socio-economic interest to guarantee the availability of food supplies, the competitiveness of the maritime economy and the livelihood of coastal communities.
The fund helps achieve sustainable fisheries and conserve marine biological resources. This leads to
- food security through the supply of seafood products
- growth of a sustainable blue economy
- healthy, safe and sustainably managed seas and oceans
It also helps achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 (‘conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources’), to which the EU is committed. Furthermore, the EMFAF helps fulfil the objectives of the European Green Deal, the roadmap for the EU climate and environmental policies.
The EMFAF supports innovative projects that contribute to the sustainable exploitation and management of aquatic and maritime resources.
In particular, it facilitates
- the transition to sustainable and low-carbon fishing
- the protection of marine biodiversity and ecosystems
- the supply of quality and healthy seafood to European consumers
- the socio-economic attractiveness and the generational renewal of the fishing sector, in particular as regards small-scale coastal fisheries
- the development of a sustainable and competitive aquaculture contributing to food security
- the improvement of skills and working conditions in the fishing and aquaculture sectors
- the economic and social vitality of coastal communities
- innovation in the sustainable blue economy
- maritime security towards a safe maritime space
- international cooperation towards healthy, safe and sustainably managed oceans
