EMFAF 2021-2027 – mid-term evaluation

ClientEarth argues that the EMFAF and its predecessor (EMFF) have failed to meet their objectives, with significant funding still supporting capacity-enhancing and biodiversity-harming subsidies. The organization calls for a categorical prohibition of harmful subsidies by 2027, increased funding for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to meet EU nature restoration targets, and a shift in financial priority toward small-scale and low-impact fishers (SSF), who currently receive a disproportionately small share of funding compared to industrial fleets.

• A significant portion of EMFAF funding continues to support biodiversity-harming subsidies, with estimates at the EU level ranging between 5% and 12%, which is more than double the amount allocated to biodiversity restoration.
• In the Mediterranean, the situation is more severe, as 39% of EMFF allocations were used for capacity-enhancing subsidies, while only 5% benefited marine ecosystems.
• France and Spain have been identified as using EU funds to finance powerful engines for fishing vessels, which increases overfishing and overcapacity without improving safety or protecting nature.
• The EMFAF is identified as the primary EU funding source for sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity, yet it lacks a specific percentage allocation for nature protection and restoration, and the European Court of Auditors has suggested spending in this area should increase.
• Small-scale and low-impact fishers (SSF) are underfunded despite making up 75% of the total EU fleet; they received only about 20% of EMFF funding, while 80% went to industrial fleets.
• Industrial fleets, specifically bottom trawl and seine fleets over 12 meters, receive higher subsidies per kilogram of fish landed (50 to 75 euro cents) compared to other fleets (less than 30 euro cents).

APA

ClientEarth (2024). EMFAF 2021-2027 – mid-term evaluation. https://www.clientearth.org/media/z4hl5rmr/clientearth-reply-emfaf-mid-term-evaluation.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. EMFAF 2021-2027 – mid-term evaluation. 2024. https://www.clientearth.org/media/z4hl5rmr/clientearth-reply-emfaf-mid-term-evaluation.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=EMFAF 2021-2027 – mid-term evaluation |date=September 2024 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/z4hl5rmr/clientearth-reply-emfaf-mid-term-evaluation.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2024emfaf, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{EMFAF 2021-2027 – mid-term evaluation}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2024}, month = sep, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/z4hl5rmr/clientearth-reply-emfaf-mid-term-evaluation.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }