The European Commission has activated the crisis mechanism of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), allowing Member States to provide financial compensation to fisheries, aquaculture and other industry sectors disrupted by the current Middle East conflict.
This measure applies retroactively from 28th February 2026, and it reflects the severe impact that the region’s hostilities are having on the EU’s fishery and aquaculture sectors.
‘The people who bring seafood to our tables deserve our full support when a crisis beyond their control threatens their livelihoods,’ said Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis.
‘I am talking about fishers facing uncertainty at sea, aquaculture producers managing thin margins, and fishmongers keeping coastal communities alive. Today’s decision ensures that they do not face this situation alone. The European Union stands with them.’
The financial support activated under this decision is drawn from each EU country’s existing EMFAF allocation under their 2021–2027 national programme, with the EU co-financing a share of the eligible expenditure. Member States may decide to offer this support and are responsible for administering and providing the compensation to operators directly. The emergency support measures introduced were pre-allocated under the 2021–2027 EMFAF programme, leaving around €760 million of the initial €1.3 billion still immediately available.
The crisis also highlights the structural vulnerability of a sector dependent on fossil fuels. Accelerating the energy transition remains essential for the long-term competitiveness, resilience and profitability of the EU fishery and aquaculture sector.
Under the activated mechanism, Member States may grant two types of crisis support. One is financial compensation to operators in the fishery and aquaculture sector for income foregone and additional costs resulting from the current market disruption, including additional costs resulting from the increase in energy prices.
The other is storage aid for fishery producer organisations that implement the storage mechanism under the common organisation of the markets. This mechanism allows producer organisations to temporarily store members’ products to stabilise market prices.
The EMFAF crisis mechanism is a temporary measure. The support can be provided for expenditure incurred until the end of 2026.
The EMFAF crisis support will shortly be complemented by additional support measures that Member States can offer in the form of State aid. The Commission is consulting Member States to seek their views on a targeted and temporary framework to address the effects of the crisis on some of the most exposed sectors of the economy, including the primary production of fishery products such as landing, handling or initial processing of fish. The Commission aims to adopt the Temporary Framework by the end of April.
