Successful Completion of the EMFF Program in Austria
The implementation of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) in Austria concludes with a positive outcome. Thanks to financial support from the EU as well as nationally provided funds within the framework of the national EMFF funding program, over 220 projects have been successfully carried out in recent years.
Projects were implemented that strengthen the fisheries sector, promote sustainable aquaculture, and advance training, processing, and marketing. A selection of funded projects from the 2014 - 2020 period is available on the Ministry of Agriculture’s website under the “Projects” section. These examples clearly illustrate the range of support opportunities offered through Austria’s EMFF program.
A Look Back: What the EMFF Has Achieved in Austria
Between 2014 and 2020, the EMFF set important milestones for the positive and sustainable development of the domestic fisheries and aquaculture sector. Aquaculture production in Austria increased by more than 50 percent during the period from 2014 to 2023 (approximately 1,770 tons per year, reaching around 5,170 tons per year). A significant portion of this growth (about half) was made possible with support from the EMFF program. Likewise, the self-sufficiency rate for fish - even if still low—rose noticeably from around 5.6 percent (2014) to approximately 7.3 percent (2023).
In total, funding of Euro 13.93 million was allocated to projects that not only improve the competitiveness of the fisheries and aquaculture sector but also support sustainable production using state-of-the-art technologies. Ultimately, this triggered over Euro 31 million in investment volume in Austria.
Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig emphasizes that, thanks to EMFF funding, significant steps toward a sustainable domestic fisheries and aquaculture sector have been taken in recent years.
“The investments made under the Austrian EMFF Program 2014 - 2020 not only secure jobs but also make an important contribution to the competitiveness and self-sufficiency in fishery and aquaculture products.”
Outlook: EMFAF Program 2021–2027
Following the successful completion of the EMFF program, the successor program under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) has been implemented in Austria since 2022. It aims to build on the successes of previous years and to strengthen key objectives such as innovation, as well as economic and ecological sustainability, in the new funding period.
For the Austrian EMFAF program, Euro 6.7 million is available from the EU Multiannual Financial Framework, which provides a total EU-wide budget of Euro 6.1 billion for the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund for the period 2021–2027. This amount is supplemented by national funds from the federal government and the federal states, so that - including an additional increase in 2025 - a total of Euro 20 million will be available for the implementation of the national EMFAF program.