Slovenian Fisheries Industry is now having the European Fisheries Fund 2007-2013. It is said that the total eligible public expenditure of the programme amounts to around €
28.9 million, with EU assistance through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to € 21.6 million. This programme covers the whole territory of Slovenia, which falls in its entirety under the Convergence objective.
The main purpose of the EU investment is to build on the success of the previous programme as well as to guarantee necessary continuity of support, to ensure sustainable and competitive fisheries in balance with available resources and to offer fishers adequate working conditions. It also aims to consolidate conditions for a thriving aquaculture and processing sector that respects the environment and meets the demands of consumers and the food industry.
There are five priority axes namely
• Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet- to promote profitable and sustainable fisheries in maritime areas.
• Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products- to contribute to the development and sustainability of the aquaculture, processing and marketing sectors.
• Measures of common interest- to support measures of common interest with a broader scope than measures normally undertaken by private enterprises, which help to meet the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy.
• Sustainable development of fisheries areas- to facilitate the sustainable development of areas with a significant level of employment in the fisheries sector and to improve the quality of life in these areas through actions implemented on the initiative of local fisheries groups.
• Technical assistance- to support the efficient implementation of the operational programme by building up and reinforcing administrative capacity.
Experts believe that this progamme will boost the fisheries sector in Slovenia and also benefit the fishermen of the country in a big way.
