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

The Regional Advisory Council were proposed by the first time during the evaluation of the common fishing policy, in 2002, as a way of guaranteeing the wide participation of the parts been interested in the processes of formulation of policies of fishing management.

The RACs elaborate recommendations and suggestions on the aspects of the fishing that concern the zone of his incumbency and they them present to the Commission or to the national competent authorities by request of the above mentioned or on own initiative. The RACs are composed by representatives of the fishing sector and of other interested groups, whereas the representatives of the scientific world are invited to inform in the meetings of the RACs as experts. The Commission and the regional and national representatives of the members states can be present in the meetings as observers.

The LDRAC will advise the European Commission on the questions relative to the agreements of fishing with third countries and the relations with the Fishing Regional Organizations (ORP) with which the EU is signatory or a partner or in whose waters the community fleet operates.

MAIN FUNCTIONS

• Prepare and present advices and recommendations on the management and conservation.
• To contribute to the application of the Common fishing policiy out of the community waters.
• To improve the exterior relations of the EU in the fishing subjet.