On 10 May 2022, the North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) and the Pelagic Advisory Council (PelAC) organised a workshop on the impacts of seismic and offshore wind energy developments on commercial fisheries. This workshop, which is a milestone in the work on the topic launched by the two Advisory Councils in 2020, gathered expert speakers from the European Commission, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the European Marine Board. The report from this workshop is now published on the NWWAC and PelAC websites.
On 20 June the North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) launched its 2022 NWWAC Fisheries Management Chart.
In 2021, the North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) experienced its most productive year since its existence, tallying a landmark number of contributions to fisheries policy. The Advisory Council hosted 75 meetings, which led to 30 submissions in the form of letters, opinions, or formal advice to EU legislators. Between October 2020 and September 2021, advice ranged from species-specific issues, such as sea bass and whelk management, to cross-cutting topics, including deep sea mining, Marine Protected Areas, and stakeholder participation in fisheries management. 2022 is set to be no different, with large-scale environmental policies taking centre stage.
On 24 September the North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) launched its 2021 NWWAC Fisheries Management Chart at the virtual meeting of its General Assembly.
The North Western Waters Advisory Council Chairperson Emiel Brouckaert and Executive Secretary Mo Mathies were interviewed by The Fishing Daily Editor, Oliver McBride. The interview addressed topics such as the role of the NWWAC and its area of work, including topics on which the AC will focus in 2021.
On 26 November, the North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) hosted a virtual workshop on the impact of Climate Change on North Western Waters fisheries.
On 06 July 2020 the North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) hosted a virtual workshop on monitoring, control and enforcement of the Landing Obligation in collaboration with the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the North Western Waters Member States’ Control Expert Group (CEG).
On 08 July EU Commissioner, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius joined the virtual meeting of the NWWAC Executive Committee.
The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) hosted a workshop “Re-imagining Gear in a Circular Economy” in Brussels on 28 January 2020 in conjunction with the Baltic Sea Advisory Council, North Sea Advisory Council and Pelagic Advisory Council. Discussion at the workshop focused on the fishing gear component of recently introduced EU legislation, specifically the design, monitoring, collecting and disposal of fishing gear.
The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) and the Market Advisory Council (MAC), two of the eleven European Advisory Councils providing the EU Commission with strategic advice on sustainable fisheries management, hosted a Workshop on Plastics and the Seafood Supply Chain in Brussels on the 7th of November 2019. The workshop brought together members of several Advisory Councils with experts and scientists to explore in both broader and greater detail the impact of plastics on fisheries and market actors.
From the 25 to the 28 March, Dublin Castle will host the debate of the Advisory Councils of the North Western Waters and South Western Waters on the future of their fisheries. The event will bring together several fishing organisations from the Atlantic coast, and also the scientists and national administrations involved in the drawing up of sustainable management strategies for the future of their fisheries.
The North Sea and North Western Waters Regional Advisory Councils proposed the new initiative which has now been enthusiastically supported by ICES. At a recent meeting in Copenhagen it was agreed to go ahead and to establish terms of reference for the new task forces. Once established, the individual task forces will decide which fisheries and stock assessments should take priority.
The North Western Waters Regional Advisory Council (NWWRAC) will be holding its first official meeting in Galicia in order to examine the biological and socio-economic impact of the proposal for Regulation submitted by the Commission in March regarding a management plan for Northern hake, which is planned initially to come into force by 1 January 2010. Northern hake is a target species of great economic value for many EU vessels carrying on its fisheries activities in Grande Sole waters.
The 24th of April last, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Governance within the Common Fisheries Policy. This resolution reinforces the mutual interest shown by both the RACs and the EP in establishing a closer relationship between both organizations at a more institutionalized level.
The North Western Waters Regional Advisory Council (NWWRAC) will hold its next Executive Committee meeting in Paris the 21st of April where a number of key issues such as the review of the Common Fisheries Policy, the reform of the control policy or the marine spatial planning will be discussed with representatives of the EU Commission, national administrations from the Member States and the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES).