The Marine, Fisheries and Aquaculture Operational Programme 2021-2027 was presented today at a press conference held at the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFA).
The budget of the new Programme totals 54.7 million, with the contribution of the European Union amounting to €38.5 million, representing 70% of the budget. The remaining €16.4 million will be provided by the Republic of Cyprus as a national contribution.
In his speech, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Mr. Costas Kadis noted that the programme is a sustainable and effective plan for the further development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. "It is also the means to make sustainable use of the opportunities offered by the sea through an integrated maritime strategy," he added.
Through the Programme, the Minister stressed, sponsorship projects will be launched for actions to promote the blue economy, transition to sustainable fisheries and sustainable aquaculture, reduction of pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, protection of marine biodiversity, modernisation of fishing shelters and support for coastal communities.
The plans also make provision, he said. Kadis, the grants for actions to address crises and unforeseen events that disrupt the market, such as the grant scheme to mitigate the impact of the sudden increase in the prices of key inputs due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is already in the process of being implemented.
As for the marine environment, an area of the highest priority for the ministry, the programme, the minister pointed out, includes important actions for rational management of marine protected areas, monitoring of coastal habitats and species, and promotion of scientific knowledge on marine-related issues.
"Before I close, and because numbers almost always tell the truth, I would like to emphasise that, through the implementation of the Programme, more than 700, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to benefit from the Programme, with an increase of about 10% in the number of jobs and 5% in the number of businesses, and direct benefits for about 2500 of our fellow citizens," the Minister concluded.
Presenting the Operational Programme, the Director of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ms Marina Argyrou, thanked all those who contributed to the adoption of the programme.
She pointed out that the Operational Programme 2021-27 is the main financial tool for the implementation of the national objectives and the vision of the Department, which is "the economic and social well-being of the fisheries sector of Cyprus, in a clean, healthy and productive marine environment".
"It is the duty and responsibility of all of us to protect and maintain healthy and productive ecosystems to ensure the resilience and competitiveness of the fishing sector, the sustainable development of the blue economy, the provision of a variety of goods and services, which ensure the well-being of people and constitute an investment for both existing and future generations, because our sea is and will be our future."
Source: CNA
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