February 20, 2019 - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development today announced five public invitations to grant non-refundable support to the development of marine fisheries, sea aquaculture, and freshwater aquaculture.
The Ministry has announced three public calls for marine fisheries - for support for the modernization of a professional fishing fleet for catching demersal resources, for the modernization of a professional fishing fleet for pelagic resources and a call for the modernization of a professional fishing fleet in small fishing for vessels up to 10 meters. Also, the Ministry has also announced public calls to improve the competitiveness and efficiency of the sea aquaculture sector as well as freshwater aquaculture.
Professional fishers at sea can receive non-refundable support of up to 50 percent of eligible investments for the reconstruction and equip of fishing facilities, the replacement of power generators, procurement of fishing and navigation equipment, and fish storage equipment to raise food safety standards. In addition to these eligible investments, fishers in small coastal fishing can also acquire vessel support, following specified criteria prescribed by the public call.
This measure enables our fishermen to have better safety and security at sea, as well as better fish catch efficiency.
The amount of support through public calls for catching pelagic and demersal resources is up to 50% of the total value of the invoices submitted, up to €10,000 per vessel, and for small coastal fishing up to €5,000 per ship. Maximum support through public calls for sea aquaculture and freshwater aquaculture is up to €7,000.
Through two public calls for granting support to improve the competitiveness and efficiency of the sea aquaculture and freshwater aquaculture sector, the Ministry will support by up to 50 percent of the investment. Breeders can reconstruct farms, build or reconstruct food storage facilities and equipment, purchase equipment for automation of the breeding process as well as equipment to improve hygiene in terms of food safety and marketing of products for the market. Investments in network procurement and the introduction of new technologies are also supported to protect the predator farms.
With the aim of intensifying the development of the fisheries sector, by the Agro Budget for 2019 to support this sector the Ministry provided 1.5 million euros, an increase of 49% over last year. In the area of marine fisheries and sea aquaculture, support follows the Strategy of the Fisheries of Montenegro and the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy of the EU.
In addition to the support that will be implemented through these public calls, a particular impetus for the development of marine fisheries will be the realization of the MIDAS II project with the emphasis on improving the land infrastructure for fishermen, such as procurement and installation of equipment for the first landing and construction of fishing ports, says the Ministry.
