The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is one of the four European structural investment funds dedicated to financing projects related to fisheries and aquaculture.

It responds to the EU's cohesion policy, which aims to harmonize EU regions by reducing disparities in economic, social and territorial development.

The objective of the EMFF is to support the development of projects aimed at strengthening local quality food production, increasing the competitiveness of businesses (by modernizing vessels and aquaculture facilities and by installing young sailors – fishermen and fish farmers) and by integrating fishing and aquaculture into the local territorial environment (through better knowledge of the environments).

The EMFF (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund) addresses European and regional themes previously defined in a framework document called the Operational Programme (OP). A budget of €769,196 has been allocated to Saint-Martin to implement the regional component of this OP for the period 2014-2020.

There are 27 measures aimed at:

• Supporting the fishing industry:
• Through services and advice
  Diversification and new forms of income
  Business start-up assistance for young fishermen
  Health and safety support
  Limiting the impact of fishing on the marine environment and adapting fishing to species protection
  Energy efficiency and climate change mitigation (motorization)
  Product value development, product quality.
• Continue the modernization of ports (fishing ports, landing sites, etc.) and develop aquaculture (productive investments in aquaculture)
• Supporting local development led by local actors.

This fund is 100% state-managed. The Prefecture services have set up the European Funds, Contractual Policies and Regional Cooperation Service, which serves as the single point of contact for submitting applications for European aid.