The new fund for the EU's maritime and fisheries policies for the period 2014-2020 was proposed by the European Commission. In particular, the Commission intends with this new fund to reach the ambitious objectives of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and help fishermen in the transition towards sustainable fishing.

The European Commission published its funding proposal for the period 2014-2020 regarding the maritime and fisheries policies. The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) will intend to achieve the ambitious objectives of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and will help fishermen in the transition towards sustainable fishing, as well as coastal communities in the diversification of their economies. Red tape will be cut so that beneficiaries have easy access to financing.

For the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy that the Commission proposed in July, the EMFF will be a fundamental instrument. The transition to sustainability requires some radical changes in the way we fish – and the fund will give fishermen the incentive they need, so that fishing can be less damaging to marine ecosystems, overexploitation can be stopped and the decline of fish stocks can be reversed.

In addition, it will be the single fund for fisheries and the Integrated Maritime Policy. The EMFF will provide support for projects such as maritime spatial planning, integrated maritime surveillance and marine knowledge. These are examples where integration can help avoid duplications and reduce costs through greater cooperation and coordination across sectors. Accordign to the Commission, including the Maritime Policy into the EMFF will ensure greater coherence and help deliver synergies between the two policy strands.