The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources expressed his satisfaction with the approval of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) by the European Parliament. This new fund safeguards several the positions defended by the Azores in the report that was submitted prior to today's voting.

With an estimated budget of 6.5 billion Euros until 2020, the regulation on EMFF provides a financial support to the implementation of the reform on the Common Fisheries Policy. This document will be voted on by the EU Council of Ministers next week.

For Luís Neto Viveiros, the approval of the Fund represents the entry into force of this financial and strategic tool; it provides a 10% increase for the co-funding of fisheries in the Azores.

"As I said in 2013, at the time of the approval of the report that preceded this voting, the Region has reasons to be satisfied with this outcome," the Regional Secretary said, stressing the funding of scientific studies for the protection of biogeographically sensitive areas.

With regard to the recovery of fish stocks, there will be an increase in the financial support to the collection of data (520 million Euros) as well as in the support to monitoring programmes aimed at the protection of marine environment.

EMFF also provides the possibility of helping fishers investing in more selective fishing gear or gear designed to facilitate the handling, unloading and storage of unwanted catches.

The Fund will also award priority status to the support of small-scale fishers, who will benefit from a higher intensity rate, as well as of young fishers and their families.

Replacing the previous European Fisheries Fund that was in force from 2007 to 2013, the new framework for period 2014-2020 will also support measures designed to ensure safer working conditions for fishers and at ports. It also authorises the granting of 75 thousand Euros in start-up support to fishers under 40 years.

After approval by the Commission, the national programmes and individual projects will begin to be implemented.

The Fund will also finance projects designed to stimulate "blue growth" and employment under the EU integrated maritime policy, which will streamline transnational and intersectoral coordination.