Scientific advice for EU fisheries policy
SUMMARY OF:
Decision 2005/629/EC establishing a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
SUMMARY
WHAT DOES THIS DECISION DO?
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It sets up the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries committee. The committee provides input to help the European Commission implement the EU's common fisheries policy (CFP).
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It sets out the role, structure and procedures for the appointment of the committee's members.
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KEY POINTS
Role
The Commission consults the committee on all matters relating to the conservation and management of living aquatic resources (marine animal and plant life), and specifically on biological, economic, environmental, social and technical aspects.
The committee’s opinion is vital to ensure that the EU's fisheries policy is sustainable. It plays an important part in advising on aspects such as:
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maximum sustainable yields (MSYs – the maximum catch level that can be routinely exploited without long-term depletion of fishery resources) and
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total allowable catches (TACs – the maximum quantities of a particular fish species that may be caught over a particular unit of time in a specific area).
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Composition and appointment
It comprises between 30 and 35 eminent experts and fishing technologists in the fields of marine biology and ecology, fisheries science and the economic, statistical and research issues associated with fisheries.
Members are appointed from a list compiled after the Commission publishes an open call for applications on its website. They are appointed for 3 years, renewable on a rolling basis.
The committee can create its own working parties on specific issues after consulting with the Commission. Commission representatives and other external experts may attend committee meetings and those of its working parties.
Operation
The Commission consults the committee at regular intervals, or whenever it considers necessary, on issues relating to conservation and management of living aquatic resources.
It takes account of the committee’s opinion when making proposals on fisheries management. The committee can also deliver opinions on fisheries matters to the Commission on its own initiative.
The committee produces an annual report on
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the state of fish stocks and trends in the fisheries industry, highlighting the economic implications of the state of fish stocks
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the work done to coordinate scientific, technical and economic research in the fisheries and aquaculture sector (i.e. fish and shellfish farming).
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Rules of procedure
The committee adopts its internal rules after consultation with the Commission. Its work is guided by the principles of excellence, independence and transparency, while observing confidentiality in tax and commercial matters. These rules are published on the Commission website.
FROM WHEN DOES THE DECISION APPLY?
It entered into force on 26 August 2005.
BACKGROUND
Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)
ACT
Commission Decision 2005/629/EC of 26 August 2005 establishing a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (OJ L 225, 31.8.2005, pp. 18-22)
Successive amendments to Decision 2005/629/EC have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
last update 11.01.2016