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fisheries sector is currently suffering, owing to the nature of
its mechanisms for intervention and its meagre funding. The
fresh products covered by the CMO represent only 20% of
total production in the Community fisheries sector, and the
CMO’s expenditure on interventions amounts to only 0.6% of
the value of the fresh products it covers.
RElATIONS WITh ThIRD COUNTRIES
The EU has concluded a very large number of bilateral agreements
with a view to opening up access for Community vessels
to third-country fishing zones. With the reform of the CFP
in 2002, these agreements evolved into partnership regimes
in order to create sustainable fishing conditions.
The EU also participates in international agreements on fishing
and maritime law. It plays an important part in most of the
Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFOs) in which the Community
fleet has a presence. These RFOs manage fish stocks in
open sea, and play an active part in combating illegal fishing
and destructive fishing practices.
INCREASE IN ThE NUMBER OF ADVISORy
BODIES
Following the reform of the CFP, seven regional advisory councils
(RACs) were created 1 . For each maritime or fishing zone
concerned, they are made up of fishermen, scientific experts,
and representatives of other sectors associated with fisheries
1 North Sea RAC, Pelagic RAC, North Western Waters RAC, Baltic Sea RAC,
South Western Waters RAC, Long-Distance Fleet RAC and Mediterranean
Sea RAC.
and aquaculture and of regional and national authorities, environmental
NGOs and consumers.
The RACs may be consulted by the Commission. They can also
draw up recommendations and suggestions, or provide the
Commission or Member States with information.
The Commission has given the RACs priority over the European
Parliament. For example, the agreement concluded by