An environmental review of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) has been published by Defra.  providing insights into the effectiveness of the EMFF scheme in delivering environmental benefits (one of the key thrusts of the scheme).

One of the benefits of the EMFF is that the scheme has broad eligibility criteria.  Interviews with stakeholders in the marine environment and fisheries sectors suggested that the EMFF is relevant to current policy and marine environmental priorities in England. However, only 60% of respondents thought that the current criteria for selecting projects were effective in addressing these priorities. The responses suggested that the EMFF may be perceived more as a fund to support to the fisheries sector than a means for generating environmental benefits.

A total of 53 projects were selected across seven environmental impact themes to provide a set of impact case studies on connecting freshwater habitats; energy efficiency; habitat forming aquaculture; selectivity; research for fisheries management; stock conservation and restoration and co-management/participatory approaches. These case studies included projects that generate environmental benefits both directly and indirectly. To systematically describe impacts and benefits, specific Natural Capital impact indicators were developed for each project and evidence of impact was sought from a combination of available literature and interviews with key stakeholders.

While many projects are still ongoing, it was possible to identify positive outcomes, impacts and likely impacts from many of the projects funded, including reduced CO2 emissions, reductions in unwanted catches and increased biodiversity. More difficult to assess were projects that addressed environmental concerns in less direct ways, e.g., through research or participatory planning processes. However, these projects can make important contributions to increasing the legitimacy of planning processes and enhancing our understanding of the natural world in ways that can inform management.

This project can inform the development of a domestic replacement grant scheme following the end of the Transition Period. Although this project is focused on the EMFF, the review will be of interest to others – not least because this is one of the first attempts at evaluation using a natural capital framework.

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