The second set of measures was announced by the European Commission on 2 April 2020 in support of the fisheries sector facing the COVID-19 crisis.
Importantly, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) could grant financial compensation to fishers for the temporary cessation of their fishing activities. The EU will pay up to 75% of this compensation, the rest to be borne by the Member States. Support for the temporary cessation of fishing activities caused by the coronavirus outbreak will not be subject to the financial capping applicable to the other cases of temporary cessation, thus allowing the Member States to grant support on the basis of need. Vessels that have already reached the maximum six-month duration of EMFF support for temporary cessation under Article 33 of the EMFF Regulation will nevertheless be eligible for support under the Coronavirus measures until the end of 2020.
This is a welcome step, and was one of ETF’s requests. This measure will be retroactively eligible as of 1 February 2020 and available until 31 December 2020.
More detailed information is available at:
The Member States shall now make use of these resources and properly protect fishers.
Responses from ETF affiliates:
- a joint statement of our Italian affiliates on the announcement of the Commission, and
- a note from our Spanish affiliate CCOO.
