Press Release: Tsunami: Commission takes further action to help rebuild fisheries and aquaculture sector in tsunami-hit areas

The European Commission on 10 February 2005 adopted a Decision to provide immediate and more long-term technical expertise and assistance to the countries hit by the tsunami that struck in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004, including action to help rehabilitate the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the areas. It was planned that experts would contribute to the assessment of the reconstruction requirements in fisheries and aquaculture in these areas and assist in the implementation of the agreed rehabilitation measures in this sector. The Commission also proposed to amend some rules in the Fisheries Fund, the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), so as to remove the legal obstacles to the co-financing of a possible transfer of fishing vessels from the European Union to the affected areas.