The European Court of Auditors yesterday lambasted the use of EU fisheries funds for aquaculture, saying projects in member states failed to deliver value for money and effective support for its sustainable development.
A report by the Court, which is considered to be the guardian of EU finances, also found that environment and public health concerns required more attention.
Each year, the EU produces about 1.3 million tons of fish from aquaculture and the sector has a turnover of €4 billion.
The value of aquaculture production in Malta was close to €94 million in 2008, down to just over €47 million in 2009, up to more than €82 million in 2010 and down again to just above €45 million in 2011, which is the latest assessment available.
The financial and economic crisis undoubtedly contributed significantly to this stagnation, at least in the main producing member states
Annual fish production in the EU has been falling for many years due to a decline in catches coupled with the stagnation of aquaculture. Sixty-five per cent of fish consumed in the EU is imported.
“The projects we audited in the member states were often poorly selected and, with some exceptions, did not deliver expected results or value for money and contributed little to growth and employment,” said Kevin Cardiff, the Court member responsible for the report.
Between 2007 and 2013, the EU provided more than €400 million to fund measures for productive aquaculture investments as well as environmental and health measures.
The report focused on projects in Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Romania, which account for 50 per cent of EU aquaculture production.
“There are very large environmental concerns associated with aquaculture. There was insufficient attention paid to that as part of an overall strategy,” Mr Cardiff said.
The Court found that, at EU level, measures to support the sustainable development of aquaculture have not been well designed and monitored.
Insufficient guidance was given for the water framework directive, the marine strategy framework directive and the environment impact assessment directive.
“The financial and economic crisis undoubtedly contributed significantly to [the] stagnation, at least in the main producing member states,” Mr Cardiff said.
The Court recommended that the Commission, when implementing measures to support aquaculture under the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, should consider whether objectives are realistic and appropriate when approving member states’ operational programmes.
It also recommended member states prioritise projects that best contribute to the sustainable development of aquaculture and provide value for money as well as consider environment and health-related issues.
The main producing countries in the EU are France, the UK, Greece, Spain and Italy, which together represent 77 per cent of turnover value.
In contrast with the stagnation of aquaculture in the EU, world aquaculture production has been increasing for many years. Ninety per cent is now based in Asia.