Union priorities
Article 6
The EMFF shall contribute to the Europe 2020 strategy and to the implementation of CFP. It shall pursue the following Union priorities for the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture and related activities, which reflect the relevant thematic objectives referred to in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013: (1) Promoting environmentally sustainable, resource–efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge–based fisheries by pursuing the following specific objectives: (a) the reduction of the impact of fisheries on the marine environment, including the avoidance and reduction, as far as possible, of unwanted catches; (b) the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems; (c) the ensuring of a balance between fishing capacity and available fishing opportunities; (d) the enhancement of the competitiveness and viability of fisheries enterprises, including of small–scale coastal fleet, and the improvement of safety and working conditions; (e) the provision of support to strengthen technological development and innovation, including increasing energy efficiency, and knowledge transfer; (f) the development of professional training, new professional skills and lifelong learning. (2) Fostering environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based aquaculture by pursuing the following specific objectives: (a) the provision of support to strengthen technological development, innovation and knowledge transfer; (b) the enhancement of the competitiveness and viability of aquaculture enterprises, including the improvement of safety and working conditions, in particular of SMEs; (c) the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and the enhancement of ecosystems related to aquaculture and the promotion of resource-efficient aquaculture; (d) the promotion of aquaculture having a high level of environmental protection, and the promotion of animal health and welfare and of public health and safety; (e) the development of professional training, new professional skills and lifelong learning. (3) Fostering the implementation of the CFP by pursuing the following specific objectives: (a) the improvement and supply of scientific knowledge as well as the improvement of the collection and management of data; (b) the provision of support to monitoring, control and enforcement, thereby enhancing institutional capacity and the efficiency of public administration, without increasing the administrative burden. (4) Increasing employment and territorial cohesion by pursuing the following specific objective: the promotion of economic growth, social inclusion and job creation, and providing support to employability and labour mobility in coastal and inland communities which depend on fishing and aquaculture, including the diversification of activities within fisheries and into other sectors of maritime economy. (5) Fostering marketing and processing by pursuing the following specific objectives: (a) the improvement of market organisation for fishery and aquaculture products; (b) the encouragement of investment in the processing and marketing sectors. (6) Fostering the implementation of the IMP.