Glossary

Regional Advisory Councils

The establishment of regional advisory councils, which are pillars of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform, aims to further fisheries sector stakeholder participation in policy making. Thanks to these permanent forums, all relevant parties will be able to communicate and cooperate in developing and applying the CFP. Each RAC has a general assembly and an executive committee.

RAC membership is as follows:

• Representatives from the fisheries sector and other interest groups affected by the CFP. The latter are proposed by organisations representing the fisheries sector and other interest groups in the relevant Member States, which together choose the members of the general assembly;
• Scientists are invited as experts to take part in the work of the RACs.

The following may also take part as active observers:

• The European Commission;
• National and regional authorities of the relevant Member States; 
• A representative of the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (ACFA);
• Representatives of the fisheries sector and other interest groups from third party countries by invitation from the RAC.

Baltic Sea Regional Advisory Council

Mediterranean Sea Regional Advosiry Council

North Sea Regional Advosiry Secretary

South Western Waters Regional Advisory Council

North Western Waters Regional Advisory Council

Pelagic Regional Advisory Council

High Seas / Long Distance Fleet Regional Advisory Council