National Strategic Plan for the fisheries sector 2007-2013

On Thursday 12 July 2007 the Government decided to approve the National Strategic Plan for the fisheries sector in Sweden. The plan, which specifies the development objectives of the fisheries sector until 2013, will now be submitted to the EU Commission.

The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) is the new instrument for fisheries under the EU financial framework for 2007-2013. The EFF provides financial support to facilitate reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, and to support necessary measures associated with the sector´s development. To receive support, Member States must draw up a national strategy and an operational programme. The next step is to present the strategy to the EU Commission, which must then also approve an operational programme specifying eligible measures.

Strategic objectives in the National Strategic Plan

• To achieve set environmental objectives by means of an eco-system-based approach in management
• To develop rural areas and create and maintain employment
• To improve the profitability of enterprises in the fisheries sector
• To increase understanding, knowledge and experience exchange
• To have well-informed consumers

To achieve the strategic objectives, interim targets are specified for a number of areas. These are:

• The catching sector
• Information gathering
• Biology and environment
• Fisheries control
• Aquaculture
• The processing industry and trade
• Recreational fishing and enterprises in fishing tourism