According to the European Commission this operational programme has the total eligible public expenditure of the programme amounts to € 11 163 105, with EU assistance from the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to € 8 372 329. It is said that the programme covers the whole territory of Malta, which falls in its entirety under the Convergence objective.
The main aim of the EU investment for 2007-2013 is to build on the achievements of the previous programme and to guarantee necessary continuity of support, to ensure sustainable and competitive fisheries and aquaculture, in balance with available resources and respecting the environment. The investment also means to offer adequate working conditions for operators in the sector and to consolidate conditions for a thriving aquaculture and processing industry that meets the demands of consumers and the food industry.
There are four priority axes in this operation prorgamme such as
1. Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet- to adjust fishing effort and to modernise the fishing fleet, as well as to increase the level of training among fishers, the Operational Programme includes measures to adapt fishing effort to the available resources, in particular as regards migratory fish stocks such as blue fin tuna and swordfish.
2. Aquaculture, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products- to contribute to the development and sustainability of the aquaculture, processing and marketing sectors.
3. Measures of common interest- to support measures of common interest with a broader scope than measures normally undertaken by private enterprises and which help meet the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy.
4. Sustainable development of fisheries areas which is not applicable.
5. Technical assistance- to support the efficient implementation of the operational programme by building up and reinforcing administrative capacity.
Experts believe that this operational programme will boost the fishing industry of Malta in a great way. It will also be beneficial to the fishermen of the country.
