The European Commission has activated a crisis mechanism under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) to support fishers, aquaculture producers, processors, and retailers affected by the economic fallout from the conflict in the Middle East. The decision applies retroactively from 28 February 2026 and aims to cushion the severe disruption caused by rising energy prices and unstable global markets, which have significantly increased operating costs across the sector.
The support will be financed through existing national EMFAF allocations for the 2021–2027 period, with EU co-financing covering part of eligible costs. Member States can choose to implement the measures and will be responsible for distributing compensation directly to affected operators. Around €760 million remains available under the fund for such emergency interventions.
Under the activated mechanism, governments may provide financial compensation for income losses and additional costs, including those linked to higher energy prices. They may also offer storage aid to help fisheries producer organisations stabilize market prices by temporarily storing products. The support is temporary and covers eligible expenditure until the end of 2026.
Alongside this, the Commission is preparing additional State aid measures to further support the most exposed sectors of the economy, including fishery-related activities such as landing, handling, and initial processing. A temporary framework is expected to be adopted by the end of April 2026 to complement the EMFAF response.
The Commission noted that the crisis has exposed the sector’s vulnerability to fossil fuel dependence, reinforcing the need to accelerate the energy transition to improve long-term resilience and competitiveness. The broader disruption stems from rising global oil prices and trade instability linked to events in the Middle East, which have significantly affected EU fisheries and aquaculture operations.
