Rural Development and Food Minister Margaritis Schinas has announced a new €16 million support program for the fisheries sector aimed at easing pressure from soaring fuel costs and improving sustainability in the industry.
The program was unveiled by Schinas during a visit to the Keratsini Fish Market near Athens. He was accompanied by European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis.
“We are working together with Europe and the Ministry of Finance to find solutions so that Greek fishermen can continue bringing high-quality products to market,” Schinas said.
Schinas said rising fuel prices posed one of the sector’s most pressing challenges, warning that costs had reached “critical and alarming levels.”
For his part, Kadis said the European Commission had acted “swiftly and decisively” in response to the Middle East crisis, activating the crisis mechanism under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund to help member states support fishing industries hit by higher operating costs.
