European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014 - 2020
The European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is designed to support maritime and fisheries activity and help deliver the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It is also geared to encourage the development of Integrated Maritime Policy.
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund is now closed to applications.
Durability of Operations – Important Information for Applicants Applicants who were successful in applying for EMFF funding must ensure that their projects continue to meet the Durability of Operations expectations set out in EC Regulation No 1303/2013 on the Common Provisions Regulations, as follow: You must retain all original project-related documents for 5 years from the date of the last EMFF claim. At any time up to that date European Commission auditors may wish to inspect any or all original documentation, including, amongst other things, order forms and delivery notes for plant and equipment; bills of quantity; tenders, estimates and quotations; architects’ (etc.) certificates; statements and invoices; relevant books of account; drawings, plans and technical specifications. Failure to retain documentation or to allow documentation to be viewed as outlined is an offence and action may be taken by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. You must not modify your project within five years of the award of European funds if that modification would affect the nature of your project or any condition imposed on its implementation or would result in an unfair advantage being given to any third party, this is known as durability of operations. Within that period, you must also not dispose of any assets or infrastructure or stop or relocate any activity if that would result in a modification to your project. If you are an owner of a fishing vessel, or supporting one through your project, that vessel shall not be transferred outside the European Union during at least the five years following the date of actual payment of that funding to you. If a vessel is transferred within that time–frame, sums unduly paid in respect of the project shall be recovered by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in an amount proportionate to the period during which the condition set out in the first sentence of this paragraph has not been fulfilled. If you are an owner of a fishing vessel, or supporting one through your project, and the vessel is sold or transferred within the European Union during at least the five years following the date of actual payment of that funding to you, the new owner of the vessel must accept the terms and conditions of this offer of funding. If the new owner does not accept the terms and conditions of this offer of funding, then you as the applicant may be required to re-pay all or some of the funding paid to you. Items purchased using public funding from the EMFF Scheme must be owned and used for their original purpose for a minimum of five years, except where State Aid rules provide for a different period, or the items are leased. In the case of a project comprising investment in infrastructure or productive investment, and where the applicant is not a Micro, small or medium enterprise (SME), you will be required to repay the funding contribution from the EMFF scheme if, within 10 years of the final payment to the project, the project or its activity is subject to relocation outside of the European Union. Some or all of the funding for projects that do not meet the Durability of Operations above will be recovered. You must comply with the provisions on ineligibility contained in Regulation (EU) 2015/288 and the ineligibility guidance to the UK EMFF scheme. You must notify the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs if you are found to have committed a fraud (as defined in the guidance) or a serious infringement prior to applying for funding or at any point up to five years from the date of the final payment made under this offer of grant.
The EMFF Scheme
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, which replaces the European Fisheries Fund is now open for applications in Northern Ireland.
Support is available for projects that deliver on sustainable economic growth in the sea fisheries and aquaculture sectors, and supports during the transition phase of the Common Fisheries Policy reform programme.
The following measures are currently open for applications
- Investment on board Fishing Vessels
- Fishing Vessel Energy Improvements and Re-engining
- Aquaculture, Processing and Marketing
- Investments to Shore Based Facilities
- Partnership, Information Sharing, Advisory Services, Job Creation and Training
- Marine Environment and inland fishing
Details of any measure not currently opened will be published on this website as appropriate.
Please click on the link below for more information
Information and guidance
Before applying for funding you must read the general guidance note and the specific guidance note relevant to the type of project you are seeking funding for. Currently there are 6 grant areas which you can apply for. Each grant area has specific guidance which explains the types of funding you can apply for, the types of projects that can be funded, how much money you can apply for and how to apply.
You can access the above guidance notes through the following links
- General Guidance Note
- Investment on board Fishing Vessels
- Fishing Vessel Energy Improvements and Re-engining
- Aquaculture, Processing and Marketing
- Investments to Shore Based Facilities
- Partnership, Information Sharing, Advisory Services, Job Creation and Training
- Marine Environment and inland fishing
How to apply for funding
Please note before you can apply for funding you must register on the EMFF E-system. Applications should be made and submitted through the EMFF E-system using the link below.
Guidance on how to use the EMFF E-system is available at the link below
Guidance on on the selection criteria and assessment process can be found at the link below
If you have any difficulties please contact the DAERA Fisheries Grants Unit (see details below).
Community led local development (Fisheries Local Action Group)
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the South-East Area Fisheries Local Action Group today ( 19 June 2018) officially launched the £2.4m Community-led Local Development initiative for County Down fishing communities.
The £2.4m programme of investment is provided through Union Priority 4 of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. It aims to support a broad range of projects that focus on promoting economic growth through job creation, social inclusion and, providing support to employability and labour mobility in coastal and inland communities which depend on fishing and aquaculture, including the diversification of activities within fisheries and into other sectors of maritime economy.
Funding Opportunities for Fishing Dependent Communities
During this difficult time of COVID-19, South East Area Fisheries Local Action Group (SEA FLAG) is continuing to provide financial support to the fishing communities of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie and surrounding areas.
The £2m funded programme is aimed at supporting projects which focus on:
- Support for diversification of fisheries and aquaculture sectors
- Adding value to fisheries products
- Creating job opportunities and stimulating economic growth in fishing, aquaculture and marine based industries
- Promoting social well-being and cultural heritage in fisheries, aquaculture and maritime
- Support for skills development, lifelong learning, and bespoke training opportunities
- Strengthen linkages between fisheries actors, promote good practices and foster development of fisheries areas
- Developing and enhancing environmental assets
SEA FLAG is taking bookings for one-to-one virtual information sessions. If you are a business within the fishing aquaculture and marine industries, or a community or voluntary organisation, contact the team on 0330 137 4051 or sea@nmandd.org to arrange a meeting or discuss any potential projects.
Further information and guidance notes on how to make an application are provided at the following link
See below for the Expression of interest forms and guidance notes.
Any queries in relation to Community-led Local Development in the first instance, should be directed to the following contact address:
South-East Area Fisheries Local Action Group
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Downpatrick Office, Downshire Civic Centre
Downshire Estate
Ardglass Road
Downpatrick
BT30 6GQ
Council: 0300 013 2233
Ext: 2500
Business case template
A business case must be completed for all projects over £25,000. A business case Template and supporting guidance is available at the link below.
EMFF transparency initiative
The European Commission requires that information about each project which has been funded under the EMFF is published; this is called the transparency initiative.
By accepting an offer of EMFF funds high level details of your project and the funds offered will be included on this list. Every six months, this website will be updated with a list of all projects which have been offered funding. The following information will be published about each project:
- name of the recipient of the funds
- community fleet register identification number (if the project is linked to a fishing vessel)
- name of the project
- brief summary describing the project
- start and expected completion date for the project
- total of eligible costs and how this is funded (for example from EMFF funds )
- total size of the funds awarded and how the funding is made up
- post code and country that the project is based in
- union priority the project is related to
The list of beneficiaries are available on the link below:
Fisheries Grant Unit contacts details
Email address: EMFF.queries@daera-ni.gov.uk
Telephone: 028 4461 8093
Or alternatively, write to
Fisheries Grants Unit
First Floor
Rathkeltair House
Market Street
Downpatrick
Co. DOWN
BT30 6AJ
More useful links
- EMFF 2014-2020 Information Leaflet
- Common Fisheries Policy
- Fishermen’s Safety Guide
- Requirements for Liferafts and EPIRBs
- EMFF Regulations (EU) 508/2014
- EMFF Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/531
- DARD Eurpean Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Draft Investment Proposals
About the EMFF
The EMFF is a European funding programme which provides support for sustainable development within the fishing and aquaculture sectors and conservation of the marine environment, alongside growth and jobs in fishing communities up to 2020. The Programme is managed in Northern Ireland by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The scheme will help reach economic, environmental and social goals and will enable European Member States to:
- help fishermen in the transition to sustainable fishing
- support fishing communities in diversifying their economies
- create new jobs and improve quality of life
- assist applicants to access financing
EMFF funding available in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has been allocated 10% of the total UK EMFF total allocation which is consistent with the size of NI fishing fleet (landings and vessel numbers) and the number of processing plants, employment and ports when compared to the overall UK industry figures. It is also consistent with Northern Ireland spend (as a % of UK total) under the previous EFF Programme.
A summary of the total Northern Ireland allocation of core-funding available under EMFF is:-
| EMFF | National | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL NI Allocation | €13.73m | €4.58m | €18.31m |
EMFF Union priorities
EMFF is the Commission’s tool for supporting Member States to achieve the aims and objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The Commission has set 6 Union Priorities in respect of objectives for use of EMFF funding as follows:-
Union Priority 1 - Promoting environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge–based fisheries by pursuing the following specific objectives:-
- the reduction of the impact of fisheries on the marine environment, including the avoidance and reduction, as far as possible, of unwanted catches
- the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems;
- the ensuring of a balance between fishing capacity and available fishing opportunities
- the enhancement of the competitiveness and viability of fisheries enterprises, including of small-scale coastal fleet, and the improvement of safety and working conditions
- the provision of support to strengthen technological development and innovation, including increasing energy efficiency, and knowledge transfer
- the development of professional training, new professional skills and lifelong learning
Union Priority 2 - Fostering environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, innovative, and competitive and knowledge– based aquaculture by pursuing the following specific objectives:-
- the provision of support to strengthen technological development, innovation, and knowledge transfer
- the enhancement of the competitiveness and viability of aquaculture enterprises, including the improvement of safety and working conditions, in particular of SMEs
- the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and the enhancement of ecosystems related to aquaculture and the promotion of resource-efficient aquaculture
- the promotion of aquaculture having a high level of environmental protection, and the promotion of animal health and welfare and of public health and safety
- the development of professional training, new professional skills and lifelong learning
- The protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems
- The ensuring of a balance between fishing capacity and available fishing opportunities
Union Priority 3 - Fostering the implementation of the CFP by pursuing the following specific objectives:-
- the improvement and supply of scientific knowledge as well as the improvement of the collection and management of data
- the provision of support to monitoring, control and enforcement, thereby enhancing institutional capacity and the efficiency of public administration, without increasing the administrative burden
Union Priority 4 - Increasing employment and territorial cohesion by promoting economic growth, social inclusion and job creation and providing support to employability and labour mobility in coastal and inland communities which depend on fishing and aquaculture, including the diversification of activities within fisheries and into other sectors of maritime economy.
Union Priority 5 - Fostering marketing and processing by pursuing the following specific objectives:-
- the improvement of market organisation for fishery and aquaculture products
- the encouragement of investment in the processing and marketing sectors
Union Priority 6 - Fostering the implementation of the IMP through the achievement of specific objectives including:-
- integrated maritime surveillance
- the promotion of the protection of the marine environment, in particular its biodiversity and marine protected areas, such as Natura 2000 sites, and the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources