Except where otherwise provided for in this Regulation, the Council shall act in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 37 of the Treaty.
1.The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
2.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.
The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at 20 working days.
3.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.
The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at 60 working days.
4.The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.
1.Regional Advisory Councils shall be established to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of Article 2(1) and in particular to advise the Commission on matters of fisheries management in respect of certain sea areas or fishing zones.
2.Regional Advisory Councils shall be composed principally of fishermen and other representatives of interests affected by the Common Fisheries Policy, such as representatives of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, environment and consumer interests and scientific experts from all Member States having fisheries interests in the sea area or fishing zone concerned.
3.Representatives of national and regional administrations having fisheries interests in the sea area or fishing zone concerned shall have the right to participate in the Regional Advisory Councils as members or observers. The Commission may be present at their meetings.
4.Regional Advisory Councils may be consulted by the Commission in respect of proposals for measures, such as multi-annual recovery or management plans, to be adopted on the basis of Article 37 of the Treaty that it intends to present and that relate specifically to fisheries in the area concerned. They may also be consulted by the Commission and by the Member States in respect of other measures. These consultations shall be without prejudice to the consultation of the STECF and of the Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
5.Regional Advisory Councils may:
(a)submit recommendations and suggestions, of their own accord or at the request of the Commission or a Member State, on matters relating to fisheries management to the Commission or the Member State concerned;
(b)inform the Commission or the Member State concerned of problems relating to the implementation of Community rules and submit recommendations and suggestions addressing such problems to the Commission or the Member State concerned;
(c)conduct any other activities necessary to fulfil their functions.
Regional Advisory Councils shall inform the Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture of their activities.
The Council shall decide on the establishment of a Regional Advisory Council. A Regional Advisory Council shall cover sea areas falling under the jurisdiction of at least two Member States. A Regional Advisory Council shall adopt its rules of procedure.
1.A Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) shall be established. The STECF shall be consulted at regular intervals on matters pertaining to the conservation and management of living aquatic resources, including biological, economic, environmental, social and technical considerations.
2.The Commission shall take into account the advice from the STECF when presenting proposals on fisheries management under this Regulation.