Dallo SFOP al FEP in Emilia-Romagna: riflessioni e prime valutazioni per il settore ittico regionale

The aim of this study is to survey the adoption of the EU Financial Instrument for Fishery Guidance, 2nd programme period, 2000-2006 (FIFG) in the Emilia-Romagna region through an analysis of applications and payments. Thanks to the Emilia-Romagna government’s monitoring activity a complete set of quantitative information (types of demand, requested funding, territorial distribution of the payments, types of beneficiaries, etc.) was collected. Data were classified and elaborated in order to underline the kind of required action and the pursued development strategies. The analysis of FIFG results included also a qualitative survey aimed at drawing attention to the opinions and considerations of the operators involved at a different level in the Emilia-Romagna fisheries chain: researchers, local politicians, fishermen, producers’ organizations and unions’ delegates. A SWOT matrix (with an appropriate questionnaire), based on the FIFG measures funded in the Emilia-Romagna region, was prepared and administered. Data processing is to-day in progress: the paper reports the first results of the analysis. Furthermore in 2009 the Emilia-Romagna regional government published the first calls for applications for grants funded by the new European Fishery Fund. This gave to the Authors the occasion to shortly describe in this paper the main characteristics of EEF in the regional territory. The study may offer interesting materials and information helpful to carefully reflect on the impact of FIFG on the Emilia-Romagna fishery sector. It also helps pointing out some indications useful in future policy actions.