It is notified that the European Commission has approved the Operational Programme for the Polish fisheries industry for the period 2007-2013. The EC told that the total eligible public expenditure of the programme amounts to around € 979 million, with EU assistance through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to €734 million. The programme covers the whole territory of Poland, which falls in its entirety under the Convergence objective.
According to the commission the main purpose of this EU investment is to support the development of a competitive, modern and dynamic Polish fisheries sector based on sustainable exploitation of resources, consolidate the structural socio-economic preconditions for a viable fisheries and aquaculture sector, while at the same time meeting the demands of both consumers and the food industry, and safeguarding, as far as possible, the income of fishers.
The priority axes has been divided into five different heads such as
Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet- aims at promoting profitable and sustainable fisheries in maritime areas.
Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products- to develop and modernise the aquaculture sector and adjust it to market prospects and expectations in a sustainable way; to diversify towards new species, to maintain a sustainable level of activity in inland fisheries, and to improve the processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products in Poland.
Measures of common interest- to reinforce the port, fishing shelters and landing facilities, to ensure a profitable and competitive fishing sector, to enhance the organisation of the sector, to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources and to disseminate newly acquired knowledge concerning the fisheries sector.
Sustainable development of fisheries areas-decreasing importance of the Baltic fishery, and the opportunities for the development of inland fisheries production.
Technical assistance-to ensure effective implementation of the Operational Programme, including actions for its preparation, monitoring, evaluation and audit.
