1. The environmental dimension of the EMFF 2014-2020
MARITIME AFFAIRS & FISHERIES
The environmental dimension of the EMFF

2. The reformed CFP The CFP (Art 2) shall
ensure that fishing and aquaculture activities are environmentally sustainable in the long term
implement the ecosystem based approach to fisheries management to ensure that negative impacts on the ecosystem are minimized,
endeavour to ensure that aquaculture and fisheries activities avoid the degradation of the marine environment
be coherent with the EU environmental legislation, in particular with the objective of achieving GES by 2020 as set out in the MSFD

3. EMFF support to MSFD objectives
Improved management reduces pressure on the resources, reduces the impact on the marine environment and has a positive impact on biodiversity conservation (support to MSY, LTMP, TFC, landing obligations).
Reducing impact of fisheries/aquaculture on the environment
Management, restoration and monitoring NATURA 2000 sites and special protected areas in line with MSFD

4. Reducing impact of fisheries on the environment
Equipment for reduction of discards/by-catch
Equipment for improving selectivity
Promotion of low impact gear
Innovation
Mitigation of climate change (energy audits , change of engine)
Collection of waste, lost fishing gear and marine litter
Rehabilitation of migration routes for migratory species
Training programmes for fishermen
Partnerships between scientists and fishermen
Diversification

5. Reducing aquaculture impact on the environment
Aid for productive investments in general as long as in line with the multi-annual national strategic plan on aquaculture.
Conversion to eco-management, audit schemes and organic aquaculture
Aquaculture providing environmental services
Aquaculture methods compatible with environmental needs in line with N 2000 areas
Aquaculture including conservation and biodiversity protection

6. Protection and restoration of marine biodiversity.
Preparation, studies, drawing-up management plans for fishery related activities in N 2000 sites, in special protected areas (MSFD) and in other special habitats.
Management, restoration and monitoring in a) N 2000 sites in accordance with PAFs; b) MPA in view of MSFD implementation.

7. Community-Led Local Development
Bottom-up approach based on LEADER and EFF axis 4
Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs): Partnerships of local actors (public, private, civil society) responsible for implementation of LDS
Local Development Strategies (LDS) may support:
Adding value and promoting innovation along the supply chain
Diversification and job creation in fisheries areas
Enhancing and capitalising on environmental assets
Promoting social well-being and cultural heritage

8. Control and enforcement Data collection
Increased budget for
Data collection and scientific advice , to increase the number of stocks for which scientific advice is available.
Control, in order to ensure better compliance.
Relevant union financial assistance may be suspended/interrupted when MS fail to collect and/or to provide data to data users on time

9. Integrated Maritime Policy
Maritime policy coordination tools – support to policy tools which cannot be developed within individual policy areas or at MS level:
Maritime spatial planning
Integrated maritime surveillance (also under shared management)
Marine knowledge
Marine strategy framework directive (also under shared management)
Blue Growth: identifies and addresses barriers that hinder growth in emerging maritime sectors (supported through other ESIFs).
Eligible operations: studies, conferences, projects, public information, awareness raising, publicity campaigns, events, websites, stakeholder platforms, exchange of best practices, IT systems, technical tools for an operational European Marine Observation and Data System

10. Ex-ante evaluation and SEA
EMFF OPs are subject to an ex-ante evaluation. OPs must include SWOT analysis including progress to achieve GES as well as specific needs for N2000 areas.
All EMFF OPs require an SEA. SEA must be carried out during the preparation of the programmes and must be completed before their submission to the Commission.
The ex-ante evaluation should summarise the SEA process and outline how it was taken into account in the programme design.

11. Monitoring and evaluation
A new "Common Monitoring and Evaluation System" : The EMFF foresees common indicators to assess progress towards achievement of the objectives of Europe 2020 strategy. These common indicators will be the basis for monitoring and evaluation and to review the performance of the programmes. They will allow the aggregation of data at Union level.
Integration of environmental policy: Indicators to assess progress towards achievement of MSFD objectives:
Context indicator n°6 for fisheries (UP 1): "Available ecosystem indicators as defined for the purpose of MSFD implementation.
Result indicator n°2 for IMP (UP 6): "increase in the coverage of MPA (in surface and time) in the context of MSFD Article 13.4.

12. Conditionality: Admissibility of operations.
Applications shall not be admissible for EMFF support if concerned operators:
Committed serious infringements of the CFP
Committed offences set out in Article 3 and 4 of Directive on the protection of the environment through criminal law (application for support under "sustainable development of aquaculture") ,

13. Implementation
The EMFF offers funding opportunities for the protection of the environment. However, under shared management, it is for the Member States to decide what measures to include in their OPs.
The programming process foresees a partnership dialogue; partners may provide input to programming and monitoring processes (CPR Article 5). Partners include bodies representing civil society, NGOs, economic and social partners etc..
Once the OPs are adopted, partners can play an important role in identifying and encouraging the implementation of projects that contribute to the protection of the environment.