In the middle of March the Baltic Sea Regional Advisory Council (BS-RAC) was officially founded.
Some 85 representatives from organisations and authorities participated in the first general assembly in Copenhagen which was opened by the Danish minister of food, agriculture and fisheries, Hans Christian Schmidt.
The primary role of the BS-RAC is to establish a real dialogue between fishermen and other stakeholders, scientific advisors and the European Commission.
The BS-RAC is said to be unique because it represents all interests in the food chain from fishermen to consumers around the Baltic Sea, and it continues the good tradition of a close cooperation among the Baltic fishing interests.
Jörgen Holmquist, director general in the Commission's DG Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, also addressed the general assembly and stated that the existing RACs were already having an influence on the common fisheries policy.
He also stressed that the European Commission will support the RAC but its success will be a common responsibility. “The first years will be a learning process where we learn to work together. But I am convinced that if RACs provide credible advice, they will have a major impact on the Common Fisheries' policy,” he added.
At the general assembly Reine Johansson, former chairman of the Swedish Fishermen's Federation, was elected as the first chairman of the BS-RAC. He will chair the council which is intended to give advice to the European Commission on fishing topics.
The Executive Committee was also installed at the general assembly. It comprises 24 members, two thirds of whom represent the fisheries' sector with the remainder coming from other interest groups.
The day after the general assembly, the elected Executive Committee met for the first time. The European Commission participated and presented the present work programme on Baltic issues, which will focus on the Baltic TACs (total allowable catches) and a multi-annual plan for cod stocks in the area.
It was also decided to establish working groups on demersal fisheries, pelagic fisheries and salmon and sea trout fisheries.
The Executive Committee will have its second meeting 19-20 June in Copenhagen where one of the important themes on the agenda is the ICES advice for Baltic stocks.
