The creation of Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) was one of the pillars of the 2002 reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in response to the EU and stakeholders’ desire to increase the latter’s participation in the CFP process.

The RACs prepare recommendations and suggestions on fisheries aspects in the area they cover and transmit them to the Commission or to the relevant national authorities. Submissions may be in response to a request from these bodies or on the RACs own initiative. The RACs are made up of representatives of the fisheries sector and other groups affected by the CFP while scientists are invited to participate in the meetings of the RACs as experts. The Commission and regional and national representatives of Member States may be present at the meetings as observers.

The legal foundation ( ~ 54 Kb) of the RACs was laid down by the Council but it is up to stakeholders to make sure that these new organs are actually set up. 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 adopts a Decision stating the date from which the RAC can be operational.

Initially, RACs benefited from a start-up aid on a degressive basis only for their first five years of their operation. However, given the important contribution of RACs to the development of the CFP, the Commission decided to propose an amendment to the RAC Council Decision in order to declare them as bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest. Adopted by Council in the June Fisheries Council  ( ~ 36 Kb), this change means that RACs will benefit from now on of a permanent funding of 250.000 euros every year.

Seven RACs have been established to cover the following areas or fisheries:

• Baltic Sea (operational since March 2006)
• Mediterranean Sea (operational since September 2008)
• North Sea RAC (operational since November 2004)
• North-western waters (operational since September 2005)
• South-western waters (operational since April 2007)
• Pelagic stocks (blue whiting, mackerel, horse mackerel and herring) in all areas (operational since August 2005)
• Distant water fisheries (operational since March 2007)