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 to reduce interactions with endangered and protected species and habitats in the project area. A crayfish fishery management plan will be developed which will include a transition to low impact economically viable fishing gear and other measures consistent with the biodiversity strategy of delivering favourable outcomes with respect to socio-economic inclusion. |  |
Disseminating knowledge and data relating to the marine environment and climate change which improves knowledge on the state of the marine environment needed for environmental targets and national obligations. It improves coordination, processing, sharing and quality of marine data nationally and internationally. |  |
The EMFAF funded Data Collection Scheme involves the collection, management and use of biological, environmental, technical and socio-economic data in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors to support the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) through scientific advice. Robust scientific data is required to evaluate the state of fish stocks, the profitability of the different fleet segments and the effects of fisheries and aquaculture on the ecosystem. The data collected is used to inform stock assessments, policy decisions and long‑term conservation measures. |  |