Operations of Strategic Importance
Under the 2021–2027 EU funding period, Operations of Strategic Importance (OSIs) were introduced as a new regulatory requirement across all Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) funded programmes, including the EMFAF. These are special projects selected by Member States and Managing Authorities because of their high strategic impact, strong visibility potential, and importance in telling the “story” of EU investment.
For EMFAF, this means identifying operations that strongly advance strategic goals such as sustainable fisheries, marine biodiversity protection, blue economy development, or ocean governance.
The goal is to:
- Showcase flagship EMFAF investments
- Demonstrate EU added value in marine and fisheries sectors
- Highlight stories that resonate with citizens
- Strengthen accountability and transparency
- Support communication campaigns at EU level
Within the Marine Institutes EMFAF Schemes certain large, high impact, strategic projects clearly meet the OSI criteria because they contribute significantly to EMFAF priorities and are central to marine governance and sustainability objectives.
Irelands Operations of Strategic Importance
1. Management of the crayfish fishery to protect critically endangered species
A nationally important conservation intervention reducing interactions with endangered and protected species and habitats in the project area
Disseminating knowledge and data relating to the marine environment and climate change which improve knowledge on the state of the marine environment needed for environmental targets and national obligations.
Implements the Strategy for data collection investment set out in Ireland’s EMFAF Programme essential for the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It is also used to evaluate EU policies: fisheries management measures, structural financial measures in support of the fisheries and aquaculture dependent areas, mitigation measures to reduce negative effects of fisheries on the ecosystem.