Client Earth looks closer a the provisions of the Common Fisheries Policy dealing with Advisory Councils, explaining when they must be consulted, and what the process should involve.
The new Common Fisheries Policy features an enhanced role for Advisory Councils – which is made up by stakeholders from the fishing and aquaculture industries, environmental and consumer groups. The Advisory Councils have existed for a number of years, and the EU Commission and Member States have had the option to seek their views and expertise on various issues. The Advisory Council in the Baltic Sea is called the Baltic sea Advisory Council (BSAC) and have among others been asked to give input on the discard ban. Under the new rules, in many circumstances this option has become an obligation. Importantly, Advisory Councils must now be consulted on the design and implementation of crucial fisheries management tools, such as discard reduction plans.
Client Earth has looked deeper into the role of Advisory Councils under the new Common Fisheries Policy and produced a briefing (see pdf below) on the legal duties of Member States and the European Commission regarding consultation of Advisory Councils.