Aid for added value, product quality and use of unwanted catches
Article 28
1. Aid for added value, product quality and use of unwanted catches, fulfilling the conditions laid down in Chapter I of this Regulation shall be compatible with the internal market within the meaning of Article 107(3), point (c), TFEU and shall be exempted from the notification requirement of Article 108(3) thereof provided that: (a) the aid aims to improve the added value or quality of the fish caught; (b) the aid covers only the following eligible costs: (i) investments that add value to fishery products, in particular by allowing fishers to carry out the processing, marketing and direct sale of their own catches; or (ii) innovative investments on board that improve the quality of the fishery products. 2. The aid referred to in paragraph 1, point (b)(ii), shall be conditional on the use of selective gears to minimise unwanted catches and shall only be granted to owners of Union fishing vessels that have carried out a fishing activity at sea for at least 60 days during the two calendar years preceding the date of submission of the application for aid. 3. The amount of the aid granted under this Article shall not exceed, in gross grant equivalent, a maximum aid intensity rate of 50 % of the eligible costs. Specific maximum aid intensity rates shall be as set out in Annex IV. Where one operation falls under several of the rows 1 to 11 of Annex IV, the highest maximum aid intensity rate shall apply.