Introduction

OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR SUPPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN MARITIME AND FISHERIES FUND IN THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA FOR THE PERIOD 2014–2020 (OP EMFF 2014–2020)

The Operational Programme for support from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund in the Republic of Slovenia for the period 2014–2020 is a joint programme document of the Republic of Slovenia and the European Commission, and the basis for mobilising the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (hereinafter: EMFF). The EMFF is one of the five European Structural and Investment Funds (hereinafter: ESI Funds) which complement each other and seek to promote a growth and job-based recovery in Europe. The fund helps fishermen transition to sustainable fishing and aquaculture, supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies, finances projects that create new jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts, and makes it easier for applicants to access financing.

In the programming period 2014–2020, Slovenia was awarded EUR 24,809,114.00 from the EMFF. With the funds allocated to support of OP EMFF 2014–2020 measures from the budget of the Republic of Slovenia, available funds totalled EUR 32,647,360.88.

Through the OP EMFF 2014–2020, the Republic of Slovenia as a Member State will support the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy towards conservation and sustainable management of fish stocks as well as the fisheries sectors in the Republic of Slovenia towards the competitive and sustainable development.

The measures of the OP EMFF 2014–2020 focus on the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy (smart, sustainable and inclusive growth), selected thematic objectives of the Partnership Agreement (improved competitiveness of the small and medium-sized enterprises in fisheries and aquaculture, environment conservation and protection, and efficient use of energy sources, promotion of sustainable and quality jobs and labour force mobility) and six priority areas of the Union:

  • promotion of environmentally sustainable, resource efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based fisheries - COMMERCIAL SEA FISHING
  • promotion of environmentally sustainable, resource efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based aquaculture - AQUACULTURE
  • fostering the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy - COMMON FISHERIES POLICY
  • increasing employment and territorial cohesion COMMUNITY-LED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
  • fostering marketing and processing - MARKETING AND PROCESSING
  • fostering the implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy – INTEGRATED MARITIME POLICY

COMMERCIAL SEA FISHING

In the programming period 2014–2020 the Republic of Slovenia plans to carry out measures aimed at preserving the tradition of Slovenian sea fisheries, enhancing the viability and sustainable development of sea fisheries, and meeting the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy reform. By 2020, the viability of the fisheries sector will improve and an optimum economic, environmentally and socially sustainable commercial marine fishing sector will be established in the Republic of Slovenia. Selected measures will be used to keep the Slovenian sea fishing tradition alive within the sustainable fishing practices which will be upgraded to include the activities relating to protection and conservation of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, and improved market approaches.

MEASURES:

  • Health and safety
  • Temporary suspension of fishing
  • Support to the formation and implementation of conservation measures and regional cooperation
  • Protection and renewal of marine biodiversity and ecosystem
  • Added value, product quality and use of unwanted catch
  • Fishing ports, landing sites, auction halls and shelters

FUND ALLOCATION: EUR 4,066,667.00

AQUACULTURE

With regard to the identified needs and natural assets, the Republic of Slovenia has potential for further development of competitive and sustainable aquaculture. The EMFF resources will be used to support small- and medium-sized enterprises. This will help preserve existing jobs and promote job creation. Promotion of competitiveness is closely connected with the sector's capacity for innovations. New cultivation methods and emerging technologies will be developed in close cooperation with research institutions in Slovenia and abroad. These will be aimed at reducing environmental impact, fostering sustainable use of resources, contributing to well-being of animals and promoting new sustainable cultivation practices. Particular emphasis will be placed on the implementation of measures that will enable farmers to adopt technologically advanced aquaculture practices.

MEASURES:

  • Innovation
  • Productive investments into traditional aquaculture
  • Promoting human capital and networking
  • Increasing the potential of aquaculture sites
  • Conversion to eco-management and audit schemes and organic aquaculture
  • Aquaculture providing environmental services
  • Public health measures
  • Productive investments into closed aquaculture systems

FUND ALLOCATION: EUR 8,000,000.00

THE COMMON FISHERIES POLICY

The key strategic priority for the implementation of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy as regards the fisheries control system is to ensure supervision, inspection and enforcement that will contribute to sustainable exploitation of marine biological resources and protection of the marine environment. The main aim of collecting data is to ensure quality information as the basis for effective analyses aimed at ensuring efficient fisheries sector management.

MEASURES:

  • Control and enforcement
  • Data collection

FUND ALLOCATION: EUR 5,224,556.00

LOCAL COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT

The Republic of Slovenia has identified local community led development as an important development opportunity for the fisheries sector. This approach enables local communities to increase their value added and gives them an opportunity to develop within their local needs and opportunities, which leads to greater social prosperity and creation of new business opportunities.

MEASURES:

  • Preparatory support
  • Implementation of community-led local development, including current costs and animation
  • Cooperation activities

FUND ALLOCATION: EUR 6,666,667.00

MARKETING AND PROCESSING

Promotion of marketing measures and investments into processing industry will enhance the production capacity of the sector, foster the marketing opportunities for producers and enhance the recognisability of the fisheries sector.

MEASURES:

  • Marketing measures
  • Processing of fisheries and aquaculture products

FUND ALLOCATION: EUR 4,709,834.00

INTEGRAL MARITIME POLICY

EMFF measures will promote protection of the marine environment and improve knowledge of the actual state of the marine environment on the basis of the Marine Strategy Framework.

MEASURE:

  • Integrated maritime surveillance
  • Promotion of marine environment surveillance and sustainable use of the marine and coastal resources
  • Improvement of knowledge on the state of the marine environment

FUND ALLOCATION: EUR 1,333,334.00