France: Operational Programme for the French fishing industry (

The purpose and aim of the EU investment

During 2000-2006 France benefited from EU support under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) of over € 278 million. As a result, more than 9,500 projects received support.

This new EU programme for 2007-2013 aims to build on the success of the previous programme and consolidate the structural socio-economic preconditions for a viable fisheries and aquaculture sector that respects fisheries resources and the marine environment, while meeting the demands of consumers and the food industry, and safeguarding, as far as possible, the income of the fishers.

Priority axes

Priority 1: Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet

This priority axis aims at promoting profitable and sustainable fisheries in maritime areas. Measures are particularly aimed at reducing the current capacity of the fishing fleet, improvements to the energy efficiency of vessels or the selectivity of fishing gear, enhancing safety and working conditions on board, improving product traceability and quality, providing retraining and life-long learning for fishers, and facilitating the entry of young fishers into the sector.

Priority 2: Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products

The objective of this axis is to promote sustainable and profitable business activities in aquaculture and to improve both the fish processing and the fisheries wholesale trade. The measures concerned are particularly aimed at increasing production, improving quality and hygiene and introducing innovative and environmentally-friendly methods. The main targets for this funding are micro- and small enterprises.

Priority 3: Measures of common interest

This accompanying axis supports measures of common interest with a broader scope than measures normally undertaken by private enterprises and which help to meet the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy. This axis also provides support for collective actions, protection and development of aquatic fauna and flora, fishing and landing equipment on shore, development of new markets and promotional campaigns, and the dissemination of good practice or results from innovative actions.

Priority 4: Sustainable development of fisheries areas

This new axis aims, through the implementation of a development strategy based on local actors, at facilitating regional business activities, particularly by developing innovative actions and reinforcing cluster thinking in the fisheries sector at the initiative of local fisheries groups. Initially, eleven fisheries groups will be selected with an average budget of € 1 million per local group. Regional development actions and operations associated with the diversification of activities, such as fishing tourism and ecotourism, in particular, will be financed under this priority axis.

Priority 5: Technical assistance

Support is provided under this axis to ensure that the management, control and monitoring systems of the operational programme function efficiently and that the EFF rules and aids are implemented in an appropriate manner and on time. This axis also covers needs for information and publicity.

Responsible Authority and contact details

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Directorate for Fisheries and Aquaculture

Managing Authority for Operational Programme

EFF Operational Programme for France

Director: Christian LIGEARD
Address: Direction de la pêche et de l’aquaculture

Place de Fontenoy, n°3
FR-75007 Paris France

Tel. +33 1 49 55 49 55

Fax +33 1 49 55 82 00

E-mail: dpma@agriculture.gouv.fr
Website:
http://agriculture.gouv.fr/sections/thematiques/peche-aquaculture

Operational Programme for the French Fisheries Industry for the period 2007-2013 – Programme Opérationnel FEP 2007-2013 de la France, co-funded by EFF

Financial table

Financing plan by priority axis for the period 2007-2013 (in EUR)