The Long Distance Fleet Regional Advisory Council (LDRAC) was  constituted in May of 2007, of conformity with Decision 2004/585/CE  who established a common frame for the regional consultative advice.

View the Council Decision 2004/585/EC establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy

View the Council Decision 2007/206/EC declaring operational the Regional Advisory Council for the High Seas/Long Distance Fleet under the Common Fisheries Policy

The Regional Advisory Councils were first proposed during the review of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002 as a method of ensuring greater stakeholder involvement in the policy making processes of fisheries management.

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 LDRAC shall advise the European Commission on questions concerning Fisheries Agreements with third countries and relations with the Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFOs) of which the EU is a signatory or a partner or in whose waters the Community fleet operates.

MAIN FUNCTIONS

• To prepare and submit opinions and recommendations on management and conservation
• To contribute to the implementation of the common fisheries policy outside Community waters

•  To improve the external relations of the EU in fisheries matters

LDRAC Rules of Procedure 1st part

LDRAC Rules of Procedure 2nd part

LDRAC STRUCTURE 

• General Assembly
• Executive Committee
• Working Groups