The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) has raised concerns with DG MARE over the evaluation questionnaire on the Landing Obligation
The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) has formally expressed its concerns to the European Commission regarding the relevance and suitability of a questionnaire prepared by MRAG and Deloitte.
The questionnaire is part of a project funded by the European Commission to evaluate the landing obligation; a policy intended to reduce discards in fisheries.
In a letter addressed to Ms Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the NWWAC outlined significant issues with the questionnaire’s structure and content, which they believe do not adequately reflect the diverse membership of the Advisory Councils (ACs). The NWWAC’s response to the questionnaire, submitted on 28 June 2024, highlighted these concerns.
The NWWAC has historically provided numerous submissions on the landing obligation, reflecting extensive consultations with its members who possess a wide range of expertise and practical experience. The Council stressed that these previous submissions should be considered in the current evaluation project. However, the NWWAC noted that the current questionnaire format does not capture the depth and breadth of input that ACs can provide.
The letter emphasised the need for a more tailored approach in the evaluation process. A revised methodology that allows for qualitative feedback would enable the NWWAC to offer more nuanced and detailed advice, considering regional specificities and the diversity of fisheries under their jurisdiction. Such an approach would ultimately benefit the assessment and future policy formulation regarding the landing obligation.
The NWWAC remains committed to providing detailed input and collaborating on creating more effective means of gathering necessary information and relevant data. The Council looks forward to a response from the European Commission and continued collaboration on this critical issue.
