Criteria for the financing of fishing shelters
14.1.2020
Priority question for written answer P-000184/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Maria Spyraki (PPE)
In December 2018, the municipality of Kalamaria submitted – in advance of the deadline – a dossier for the ‘New Fountain Fisheries Shelter’ project as part of the Fisheries and Maritime Operational Programme. Although the dossier was found to be complete by the 2014-2021 Fisheries and Marine Operational Programme (EPALTH) Special Management Service, the request for funding was rejected on the grounds that, in the view of the EPALTH Special Management Service, its size classified it as a fishing port.
The leeward docks are 310 metres long and 14 metres wide, with a 305‑metre-long breakwater. The Ministry of Finance granted the project a marine space surface area of 24.355 m², of which 7.300 m² is earmarked for the construction of an embankment to provide land surface for the service area. One hundred and sixty fishing vessels are to be moored there.
Given that all the relevant Greek authorities [1] have authorised the construction of the project as a ‘fisheries shelter’, can the Commission say:
- 1.Is the size mentioned above a criterion for a proposed harbourside construction to be classed as a fishing port?
- 2.Have any other fisheries shelter projects in the EU with a capacity of 160 fishing vessels been given funding?
- 3.Given that the call for proposals made no mention of the need for a specific capacity, was the decision to reject this project justified?
- [1] Ministry of Finance / Regional Public Property Directorate for Central Macedonia / Technical Projects Directorate.