Several applications for support for fisheries investments now open - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Mar e das Pescas

The Regional Secretariat for the Sea and Fisheries, through the Regional Directorate for Fisheries, informs that applications are now open for the Support Scheme for Onboard Investments in Energy Efficiency, Safety and Selectivity, Investments in Productive and Organisational Innovation in Fishing Companies and Collective Actions, with a co-financing amount of two million Euros. There is also a Support Scheme for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) processing fisheries and aquaculture products in the area of productive investments, with a co-financing amount of 9.6 million Euros, under the Mar 2030 Programme of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

The Support Scheme for Onboard Investments in Energy Efficiency, Safety and Selectivity, Investments in Productive and Organisational Innovation of Fishing Companies and Collective Actions aims to promote competitiveness and viability of fishing companies, through investments in fishing vessels. These investments are aimed at improving the hygiene, health, safety and working conditions of fishers, promoting the value and quality of fishery products, fostering processes to digitise the activity and improve energy efficiency, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing the impact of fishing on the marine environment.

Fishing vessel owners, associations, cooperatives, and producers' organizations with valid registration, as well as public entities within the autonomous regional administration responsible for managing the sector, and other public or private non-profit organizations involved in relevant areas, can apply for these support measures. Local authorities that actively support fishing professionals or their associations are also eligible. Applicants should consider the specifications outlined in the respective Opening Notice.

The public support rates vary between 40%, namely in the case of operations to replace or modernise main or auxiliary engines, and 100%, namely in the case of operations to improve the selectivity of fishing gear in terms of size and species and relating to small-scale coastal fishing.

The Support Scheme for SMEs processing fisheries and aquaculture products in the area of productive investments aims to boost the competitiveness of companies in the fisheries and aquaculture products processing sector, namely by promoting energy efficiency, digitisation and the integration of the circular economy into production patterns, fostering innovation and enhancing the value of products and improving production processes, creating skilled jobs and internationalisation opportunities.

SMEs can apply for this support. In the case of co-promoted operations led by companies, higher education institutions, their R&D institutes and units, private non-profit institutions whose main purpose is R&D, and other public and private non-profit institutions carrying out or participating in scientific research activities can also apply.

Public support rates vary between 65% for SMEs and 75% for start-ups and spin-offs, or in co-promoted projects aimed at introducing innovative products, processes or equipment into the company. The rate may rise to 100% in co-promoted operations led by companies, where the beneficiary is a public body.

The applications now announced are part of Opening Notice no. MAR2030-2024-36 - the submission of applications runs continuously until 2027 and must be made via Balcão dos Fundos, at https://balcaofundosue.pt. The notice is published on the Portugal 2030 portal, www.portugal2030.pt/, the Mar 2030 portal, www.mar2030.pt, and the Regional Directorate for Fisheries portal, https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/drp/mar-2030.