For the Belgian Fisheries Sector the operational programme for the period 2007-2013.It is said that the total eligible public expenditure of the programme amounts to around € 52.5 million, with EU assistance through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to € 26.3 million. The regions covered under this programme are non Convergence regions. According to the commission the main aim of this programme is to benefit Belgium under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance. It is informed that the
operational programme for 2007-2013 aims to support the development of sustainable, economically viable, competitive and market-oriented fisheries sector by encouraging restructuring of the fleet, sustainability, diversification and innovation.
Under five priority axes this programme is going to boost the fishery sector in Belgium. Firstly, adaptation of the EU fishing fleet aims to adjust fishing capacities to fishing possibilities and to develop a viable, efficient and environmentally-friendly fishing fleet. Second, aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products, is a further development of sustainable aquaculture and fish processing by means of product and market diversification and modernization of existing enterprises, with the focus on the product quality and value added as well as farming of new and prospective species.
At third there are measures of common interest that supports measures of common interest with a broader scope than measures normally undertaken by private enterprises helping meet the objectives of the common fisheries policy. Fourth, sustainable development of fisheries areas aims to facilitate sustainable development of fisheries areas and communities facing socio-economic difficulties and to maintain jobs, welfare and the quality of life on the initiative of local fisheries groups.
And at last there is technical assistance which ensures that the management, control and monitoring systems of the operational program function efficiently and that the program and aid are implemented in an appropriate manner.
