About the Advisory Councils

The  Advisory Councils (ACs), formerly known as Regional Advisory Councils (RACs), were established as one of the pillars of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) after the revision in 2002. The overall objective of the ACs is to work towards integrated and sustainable management of fisheries resources, based on the ecosystem approach and the precautionary principle.

Ten ACs are currently operational:

• Aquaculture AC
• Baltic Sea
• Black Sea AC
• Long Distance AC
• Market AC
• Mediterranean AC
• North Sea AC
• North Western Waters AC
• South Western Waters AC
• Pelagic AC

The latest CFP also foresees the establishment of an Advisory Council for outermost regions, but this AC is not operational yet.

For more information on the legal context of the ACs, download the following documents:

• Council Decision 2004/585/EC (establishing the RACs)
• Council Decision 2007/409/EC (amending the former decision)
• Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council

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