NWWAC urges stronger stakeholder engagement in technical measures, criticising limited consultation and calling for earlier Advisory Council involvement
NWWAC Submits Advice On Engagement And Technical Measures
The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) has submitted formal advice to the European Commission calling for more structured stakeholder engagement and more practical technical and remedial fisheries management measures.
The advice, addressed to Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, focuses on how existing EU fisheries rules are developed, applied, and revised, and where those processes are failing the fishing industry.
Stakeholder Engagement Still Seen As Inadequate
NWWAC argues that fishermen and sector representatives are too often consulted late in the policy process, when decisions are already effectively made. According to the advice, this approach undermines trust and results in measures that are poorly adapted to real-world fishing operations.
The council stresses that effective stakeholder engagement must begin earlier, be continuous, and involve genuine dialogue rather than box-ticking exercises. It warns that repeated failures in this area are contributing to low compliance, frustration within the fishing community, and ineffective management outcomes.
Concerns Over Technical Measures Design
A central criticism in the document relates to technical measures, including gear specifications, spatial restrictions, and operational rules. NWWAC states that many measures are overly complex, inconsistently applied across regions, and insufficiently tested for practicality at sea.
The advice highlights that technical rules are frequently amended without proper evaluation of their cumulative impacts on mixed fisheries. This, NWWAC says, leads to unintended consequences, including increased discarding risks and reduced operational flexibility for vessels.
Call For Evidence-Based And Regionalised Approaches
NWWAC urges the Commission to make greater use of regional knowledge and industry data when designing and revising measures. It argues that regionalisation, already provided for under the Common Fisheries Policy, is still not being used to its full potential.
The council also questions the reliability of some scientific assumptions underpinning technical measures, calling for better integration of fishermen’s observations alongside scientific assessments, rather than treating them as secondary or anecdotal.
Remedial Measures Should Be Proportionate
On remedial measures, including closures and effort restrictions triggered by stock concerns, NWWAC cautions against automatic or blunt responses. It argues that such measures should be proportionate, targeted, and time-limited, with clear objectives and exit strategies.
The advice warns that repeated reliance on broad remedial measures risks undermining the economic viability of fishing businesses without necessarily delivering improved stock outcomes.
Trust And Compliance At Risk
Throughout the document, NWWAC returns to the issue of trust between regulators and the fishing industry. It states plainly that poorly designed rules, weak engagement, and a lack of transparency are eroding confidence in the EU fisheries management system.
The council concludes that without meaningful changes to how measures are developed and applied, the gap between policy intent and practical outcomes will continue to widen, to the detriment of both stock sustainability and the fishing sector.
