Andalusia announces 225,000 euros in aquaculture grants for environmental services

The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of the Regional Government of Andalusia has announced the 2026 grants for interventions contributing to the provision of environmental services by aquaculture, with a budget of 225,000 euros. The call is formalized through the Order of September 7, 2026, published in the Official Gazette of the Regional Government of Andalusia (BOJA) No. 185, of September 23, 2026, along with its summary (official references 00343524 and 00343525).

Compensation for loss of earnings in Natura 2000 Network wetlands

The grants are awarded on a non-competitive basis and consist of compensation for the loss of earnings incurred by the applying individuals or entities as a result of using cultivation methods compatible with specific environmental needs and subject to management requirements derived from the designation of Natura 2000 Zones in accordance with Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC. The specific objective is aquaculture carried out in wetlands that favors the conservation of the biodiversity of aquatic avifauna.

Natural or legal persons, as well as civil societies and communities of assets, who hold the authorization for aquaculture crops subject, in whole or in part, to specific restrictions or management requirements due to the integration of the operation into the Natura 2000 Network, may apply. Applications will only be admitted when these restrictions or environmental requirements are imposed by national legislation or by legally binding management plans for natural spaces.

Amount, financing, and calculation of the aid

• Maximum total amount: 225,000 euros, charged to budget item 1200120000G/71P/47300/00_G4210401A6.
• Co-financing: 70% funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and 30% by the Regional Government of Andalusia.
• Maximum aid intensity: 100% of the loss of earnings.
• Calculation per beneficiary: the lower of 281 euros per hectare in extensive production or 400 euros per hectare in semi-intensive production, or 15% of the production turnover declared for tax purposes in the fiscal year prior to the application.

The grants are compatible with other subsidies, income, or resources for the same purpose from other administrations or public and private entities, provided that the total does not exceed the maximum intensity provided for in Article 41 of the EMFAF Regulation. If there is an increase in the available credit, a complementary award resolution may be issued without the need for a new call.

Deadline, processing, and resolution

• Submission deadline: 10 business days starting from the day following the publication of the summary in the BOJA.
• Submission exclusively electronic, through procedure code 25274 of the Electronic Office of the Administration of the Junta de Andalucía; the summary is identified by number BDNS 929255.
• Instruction: Grant Management and Diversification Service of the General Directorate of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy.
• Resolution: the head of the General Directorate of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy, within a maximum period of six months; administrative silence shall be deemed a rejection.
• Appeals: optional appeal for reversal within one month or contentious-administrative appeal within two months.

The call is based on the regulatory bases of the Order of August 19, 2024 (BOJA no. 166, of August 27, 2024) and the Decree 193/2026, of July 30, regarding the organic structure of the Ministry. The order is signed by the counselor Ramón Fernández-Pacheco Monterreal, while the summary appears signed in Seville on September 17, 2026, by the vice-counselor Consolación Vera Sánchez, by authorization.

The call reaches a sector with a presence in Andalusian wetlands, where holdings assume management limitations to avoid interfering with aquatic birdlife. The limit of 225,000 euros and the distribution per hectare determine how much can be effectively compensated, meaning that interested holders have a very short window —ten business days— to submit their application electronically.

Source: Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía, no. 185, of September 23, 2026, section 1. General provisions, pages 12294-12295 (official reference: 00343524 and 00343525).