Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) were set up by the European Commission to provide greater stakeholder involvement in fisheries management at a regional level. RACs were described in detail in a Council Decision of July 2004. The decision confirmed that RACs could submit recommendations and suggestions of their own or at the request of the Commission or a Member State , on matters relating to fisheries management to the Commission or Member State concerned.

MCAP group meeting with the Regional Advisory Councils - RACs (MCAP/MIRAC)

The last MIRAC meeting took place in Vigo, Spain 30-31 January 2008.

Meeting Documents (Password protected)

Futher information

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

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

For more information please see DG Fish web site

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