How to better use EU citizens’ money in fisheries beyond 2020

EU fisheries subsidies can support the implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) but also delay and weaken its proper implementation. If decision makers at EU level and national authorities use public financing for counterproductive investments, policy objectives are seriously jeopardised. Decisions on EU funds for 2021 until 2027 (the future EMFF) will be finalised in the coming months. Being aware of how funding has been spent in previous years is now critical in making the right choices for the future.

This report, which is based on the analysis of documents, 2017 and 2018 implementation reports10 and on publicly available information relating to three selected Member States (France, Spain and Ireland), should help decision makers at EU level and national level to make consistent choices for the use of EU citizen’s money between 2021 and 2027. There is an opportunity in the years to come for the EU fisheries sector to achieve environmental, economic and social sustainability and to become a vibrant sector that plays a leading role at global level by implementing international commitments.