280 likes | 294 Views
Learn about the funding opportunities available for Natura 2000 projects under the EMFF Regulation for 2014-2020. Discover how to apply and the benefits of these funding opportunities.
E N D
EMFF Funding and Natura 2000 Natura 2000 Funding Opportunities under EMFF Regulation for 2014-2020 • Damien Clarke • Managing Authority – EFF / EMFF • damien.clarke@agriculture.gov.ie
Who am I? • Responsible within DAFM for – • Grant aid to Seafood sector • Inshore Fisheries Management (including Natura 2000)
Topics • Investment EFF 2007 – 2013 • EMFF programme development • Funding opportunities for Natura 2000
Role of DAFM • Policy responsibility for development of the seafood sector – fisheries, aquaculture, processing, FLAGs etc • Managing Authority for – • EFF - Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013 • EMFF – development of new investment programme for 2014-2020
Context - EFF investment • EFF – Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013 • Runs until 2015 • Total EFF funds €42 million, together with Exchequer and private funds. • Covers investment in Fishing fleet, Aquaculture, Processing, Marketing and Promotion, FLAGs, etc.
Exchequer only investment • Additional investments in – • Fleet Safety measures • Processing – Value Adding Scheme • Aquaculture – pilot projects, innovation • Ports and harbours • Natura 2000
Exchequer funding Natura 2000 • Natura 2000 not EFF co-funded at present • Exchequer funding on marine Natura 2000 by DAFM and NPWS. • DAFM spend 2013 - €250,000 • Covers - • Baseline data collection • Impact etc studies • Bird counts • Appropriate assessments • Risk assessments
EMFF Regulation • New EU Regulation covering investment in seafood sector • Not yet adopted • Council and Parliament positions • Trilogue process ongoing - Adoption Q2 2014? • Covers fisheries, aquaculture, processing & marketing, FLAGs, Data Collection, Control, IMP.
EMFF OP Development • Development of EMFF OP commenced • Target for completion June 2014 • SWOT analysis complete • Initial Needs Assessment complete • See http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/fisheries/marineagenciesprogrammesdivision/futureseafooddevelopmentinireland2014-2020/
Our EMFF OP Partners • RSM Clure Watters and Poseidon • Their role – • Ex-ante evaluation • Strategic Environmental Assessment
EMFF OP - Next Steps • Minister selects investment priorities • Publication of draft OP document Feb 2014 • SEA scoping consultation Feb 2014 • Consider submissions / Finalise OP • Submission to Commission July 2014 of – • Final OP document • Ex-ante Evaluation report • Environmental report
Stakeholder involvement • SWOT / Needs Assessment consultation Aug/Sept 2013 • Stakeholder workshop 27 Nov 2013 • Consultation Feb 2014 Draft Op and SEA • Stakeholder workshop date April 2014 • Approval of Monitoring Committee July 2014
EMFF SWOT and Natura 2000 Fisheries • Restrictions on fishing arising from Natura 2000 (threat) • Loss of biodiversity (threat)
EMFF SWOT and Natura 2000 Aquaculture • Delays in licensing process (weakness) • Off-shore aquaculture sites less environmentally sensitive (opportunity) • Restrictions on development arising from Natura 2000 (threat) • Climate change (threat) • Stakeholder opposition to industry (threat)
EMFF OP - Natura 2000 Funding opportunities • Articles 35 to 38 of EMFF Regulation most relevant to Natura 2000 • Also article 54
EMFF Article 35 • Allows funding of - • Design, Development and Monitoring of implementing measures to comply with MSFD, Habitats and Birds Directives and CFP landing obligation. • DAFM, Marine Institute, BIM, NPWS, SFPA, Navy • Stakeholder participation in (1) • POs, eNGOs, fishermen
EMFF Article 36 • Relates to scientific or technical studies / trials to – • Improve technical knowledge • Improve fishing techniques • Enhance Gear selectivity • Reduce impacts of fishing on environment • Must be carried out by in in collaboration with scientific or technical body recognised by MS • Study must be published
EMFF Article 36 cont. • Most relevant to Marine Institute, BIM and NPWS • Funding of others possible in collaboration with State agencies • Possible uses of funding- • Impact Studies etc • Trialling of new gear to reduce by-catch • Trialling of alternative dredging gear that reduce impacts on the seabed
EMFF Article 37 • Funds fishermen only • May fund gear replacement that – • Improves size or species selectivity • Reduces by-catch • Limits impacts of fishing on ecosystem or seabed • Protects gear and catch from species protected by Habitats and Birds Directives, without damaging species
EMFF Article 38 • Purpose – to protect and restore marine biodiversity and ecosystems • Broad ranging article that may fund many marine environmental measures • Funding available to – • State agencies • Scientific or technical bodies • Fishermen or POs • NGOs in partnership with POs or FLAGs
EMFF Article 38 cont. • Covers the following- • Collection of marine litter by fishermen • Construction of facilities to protect marine fauna and flora • Better management or conservation of marine biological resources • Management plans for fishing in Natura 2000, including related studies and monitoring
EMFF Article 38 cont. Cont. • Management, restoration and monitoring of Natura 2000 sites and MPAs • Other activities to maintain and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services • Environmental awareness involving fishermen on protection and restoration of marine biodiversity
EMFF Article 38 cont Possible uses of funding under art 38 • Fisheries Natura Plans (preparation / implementation) • Fishing activity reporting systems within Natura sites • Monitoring of biodiversity changes associated with any planned change in fishing pattern • Monitoring closed areas within Natura sites • Education and outreach
EMFF Article 54 • Funds Aquaculture operators only • Funding by way of annual compensation • Funding may be used for – • Implementing aquaculture methods required because of Natura 2000 designation • Costs associated with conservation and biodiversity restoration programmes • Implementing extensive aquaculture (biodiversity, management of landscape, conservation)
EMFF Prioritisation EMFF is a menu! A la carte – not all you can eat buffet! Ireland must prioritise and make choices!
EMFF Prioritisation cont. • Finite funds for EMFF OP • Only measures included in EMFF OP will attract EU co-funding • National budgets will be prioritised for OP implementation
Competition for funding • Fishing Fleet – Safety, capacity balance • Aquaculture – jobs / growing production • Processing & Marketing – jobs / growing exports • FLAGs – jobs, economic development • Control – regulatory requirement • Data Collection – regulatory requirement