The Official Journal of the European Union has published on January, 8th, 2009, the Decision adopted by the Commission on December, 18th 2008, on a financial contribution from the Community for 2008 towards expenditure incurred by Greece, Spain and Italy for the purchase and modernisation of vessels and aircraft used for inspection and surveillance of fishing activities.

Member States, Greece, Spain and Italy, have notified to the Commission their annual fisheries control programme for 2008 together with the applications for a Community financial contribution towards the expenditure to be incurred in carrying out the projects contained in such programme.

This Decision establishes the maximal amount of the Community financial contribution for 2008, the rate of the Community financial contribution and the conditions on which the contribution may be granted towards expenditure incurred by Greece, Spain and Italy in the framework of projects over 1M€ for the purchase and modernisation of patrol vessels and aircraft used for inspection and surveillance of fishing activities.

As regards to the rate of contribution, the expenditure concerning the purchase and modernisation of vessels and aircraft used for inspection and surveillance of fishing activities will qualify, within the limits established for each country, for a financial contribution of 50 % of the eligible expenditure incurred by Member States.

The financial contribution specified for each Member State is calculated on the basis of the utilisation of the concerned vessels and aircraft for inspection and surveillance as a percentage of their total yearly activity, as declared by the Member States.

Furthermore, Member States will ensure that all payments in respect of which a reimbursement is claimed will be made by the Member State concerned by June, 30th, 2016. Payments made by a Member State after this deadline will not be eligible for
reimbursement.

The budgetary appropriations related to the Community financial contribution for such projects will be decommitted at the latest by December, 31st, 2017.

Community financial contribution granted towards the purchase and modernisation of patrol vessels and aircraft used for inspection and surveillance of fishing activities

• Greece: Expenditure planned: 14.603.000 € – Eligible expenditure: 14.045.000 €
• Spain: Expenditure planned: 44.225.546 € – Eligible expenditure: 12.476.320 €
• Italy: Expenditure planned: 52.500.000 € – Eligible expenditure: 24.000.000 €