Lithuania: Operational Programme for the Lithuanian Fisheries Sector (Lietuvos žuvininkystės sektoriaus 2007-2013 metų veiksmų programa) co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund

MEMO/07/614

Brussels, 20 December 2007

Summary

The European Commission recently approved the Operational Programme for the Lithuanian Fisheries Sector for the period 2007-2013. The total eligible public expenditure of the programme is € 71,256,575, with EU assistance through the EFF amounting to € 54,713,408.

The programme covers the entire territory of Lithuania which is designated as a whole as a convergence region.

The purpose and aim of the EU investment

During 2000-2006 Lithuania benefited from EU support under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) of over € 12 million. As a result, 31 vessels were scrapped, reducing the Baltic high seas fleet by 43%. 45 fishers were granted compensation. The first fish auction was established, and 2 producer organizations, 13 aquaculture enterprises and 1 processing enterprise were supported. Two projects for the protection and development of living aquatic resources are also currently being implemented.

The new EU programme for 2007-2013 aims to promote sustainable development and enhance the competitiveness of the Lithuanian fisheries sector by ensuring its economic, environmental and social sustainability and by protecting and, where necessary, restoring fish resources.

Priority axes

Priority 1: Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet

This priority axis aims to adjust fishing capacity to fishing possibilities and create a modern, competitive and efficient fishing fleet. Measures foreseen include support for the permanent and temporary cessation of fishing activities, and investments in modernization on board vessels, including engine replacement to improve energy efficiency and to introduce more selective fishing methods. Socio-economic measures will facilitate the entry of young fishers into the sector and will provide compensation for loss of jobs due to the permanent cessation of fishing activities and for early departure from the fishing sector.

Priority 2: Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products.

The objective of this axis is to develop sustainable aquaculture and fish processing sectors, mainly through productive investments, but also using aqua-environmental and animal health measures. For inland waters, the goal is to achieve a balance between fishing capacity and current fish stocks and to assist with the creation of a competitive fleet. In addition to investments in facilities and on board fishing vessels, support for inland fishing will also cover compensation for reassignment of vessels to other activities and for temporary cessation of fishing activities.

Priority 3: Measures of common interest

This axis supports measures of common interest with a broader scope than measures normally undertaken by private enterprises and which help to meet the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy. Special focus is placed on development of fishing ports and landing sites, protection and development of aquatic fauna and flora, promotion of marketing measures, and pilot projects, as well as collective actions, including support for producer organizations.

Priority 4: Sustainable development of fisheries areas

This axis aims at facilitating the sustainable development of fisheries areas and at improving the quality of life through initiatives by local fisheries groups. To achieve these objectives, support will be given in the framework of local development strategies for the diversification of activities, the development of tourism, in particular eco-tourism, increasing added value to fisheries products, the dissemination of innovation, developing coastal hamlets and villages, protecting natural and architectural heritage, and training for employees in the fisheries sector.

Priority 5: Technical assistance

Support is provided under this axis to ensure that the management, control and monitoring systems of the operational programme function efficiently and that EFF support is implemented in an appropriate manner.

Responsible Authority and contact details

Ministry of Agriculture

Managing Authority for Operational Programme of the Lithuanian Fisheries Sector for 2007-2013

Mr Kazys Sivickis, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture

Address: Gedimino pr. 19, LT-01103 Vilnius, Lithuania

Tel. +370 5 2391 005

Fax +370 5 2391212

E-mail: Kazys@zum.lt Web:

http://www.mmm.fi/

Table: Operational Programme for the Lithuanian Fisheries Sector for the period 2007-2013 (Lietuvos žuvininkystės sektoriaus 2007-2013 metų veiksmų programa), co-funded by EFF

Intervention type: Operational Programme

Financial table

Financing plan by priority axis for the period 2007-2013 (in EUR)