Brussels, 20/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - To ensure a follow-up to the decision of last December on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), last Monday, the European Commission adopted a proposal setting out a common framework for Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) and the following zones and stocks Baltic Sea; Mediterranean Sea; North Sea; North-western waters; South western waters; Pelagic stocks (blue whiting, mackerel, horse mackerel, atlanto-scandian herring) in all areas. The first RACs could start operating in the spring of 2004. Its aim is to build mutual trust between the scientific community and the fishing industry by increasing transparency and fostering dialogue in the provision of scientific advice on the state of the fish stocks. The RACs will give advice and recommendations to the Commission or the Member States and inform them of problems relating to the implementation of the CFP in the region they cover.
The proposal lists the following rules:
Creation: The first condition for the creation of a RAC is a desire among fishermen and other stakeholders to play a meaningful role in fisheries management in their area of activity. When this is the case, interested parties must send a documented request for the creation of a RAC to the authorities of the Member States concerned and the Commission. After advice from the Member States concerned, the Commission will adopt a Decision stating the date from which the RAC can be operational.
Structure: RACs will have a general assembly which will appoint an executive committee of between twelve and eighteen members. In both bodies, two-thirds of the membership will be made up of representatives of the fishing sector and the remaining third of representatives of other groups with an interest in the CFP.
Participation: Observers may be invited to the proceedings. Scientists, for example, will be invited to participate as experts in the work of the RACs. The Commission may be present at any RAC meeting. Observers will include representatives from national and regional administrations of the Member States concerned. Other potential observers who may wish to comment on the recommendations or suggestions adopted by a RAC include representatives of Member States which do not have fishing rights for regulated species in the area covered by the RAC, representatives of the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (ACFA) and of third countries which have an interest in the area concerned.
Co-ordination: When decisions relate to issues of interest to more than one RAC, the RACs concerned will co-ordinate their positions so as to agree on a joint recommendation.
Financing: EU financial support towards operational costs will be available to RACs during their first three years of operation.
Review: When a RAC has been operational for three years, the Commission will submit a report to the Council and the European Parliament on how it has worked.