A new programme, worth €16 million, has been set up to support the development of the new The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Margaritis Schinas, announced a new programme of €16.16 million for the fisheries sector, during his visit, together with the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Kostas Kadis, to the Keratsini fish market.
Applications will be submitted electronically through the Integrated State Aid Management Information System (ISIS) from today, May 14, until September 15, and the programme will aim, as noted, to enhance the sustainability of fisheries, improve the working conditions and safety of fishermen, as well as the upgrading of fisheries products.
Schinas said that one of the major problems currently facing the fishing industry is the rapid increase in oil prices, “which is now reaching marginal and worrying proportions”. He stressed that “we are working with Europe and the Ministry of Finance to find solutions so that Greek fishermen can bring to the market the high quality products we have seen here.”
For his part, Kadis noted that the European Commission had reacted “with quick reflexes” to the situation created by the crisis in the Middle East.
He added that the crisis mechanism under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund has been activated to enable Member States, according to their needs, to support the fisheries sector, which is under pressure from the increased operating costs caused by the rise in oil prices, from the end of February until the end of the year.
<span style="an important visit by the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans", said New Democracy MEP and member of the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee, Frentis Beleris. "We are here and together, each from his own area, we will help and facilitate all fishermen," he stressed.
The managing director of the Central Markets and Fisheries Organisation, Nikos Limperis, said that the OCA is responsible for the 11 fish scales operating in Greece.
He noted that 60,000 tonnes of fish are traded through these markets annually, compared to 220,000 tonnes consumed by Greek consumers.
Finally, the president of the Professional Fishing Association “The Aegean”, Evangelos Arapakis, who represents owners of trawlers and seiners, also referred to the issue of the increase in oil prices. “We are definitely asking for a subsidy if we want the primary fishing sector in Greece to remain alive, because with these oil prices we are heading for disaster,” he said.
