Bringing together stakeholders for sustainable North Sea fisheries

OUR AIMS

One of 11 European sea-basin Advisory Councils, the NSAC works towards integrated and sustainable management of North Sea fisheries through engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to produce targeted advice on a range of topics. Our advice is developed through discussion and iterative working, and placed in the wider context of marine environmental sustainability from a North Sea region perspective. Our advice feeds into the European Commission and Member States, providing stakeholder-led views on the management of North Sea fish stocks. 

Through preparing and providing advice on the management of North Sea fisheries, we promote the objectives of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and ensure stakeholders’ voices are heard in how policies are implemented and assessed. All our work centres around the attainment of sustainable fisheries, incorporating an ecosystem-based approach, and utilising the precautionary principle for management.

See what we are up to in 2021:

NSAC 2020-21 Work Programme
Estimated Budget 20-21_NSAC

OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM

OUR MEMBERS

The NSAC is a membership organisation that enables stakeholder involvement in fisheries management at a regional level.

In line with the Common Fisheries Policy, the NSAC’s membership comprises 60% fishing industry representatives, including representatives from the supply chain, such as processing interests, and 40% ‘other interest groups’ or OIGs. OIGs are a range of environmental and other organisations, such as labour unions, with interest in the sustainable management of fisheries. 

Non-members may attend meetings as ‘observers’, and the NSAC regularly invites scientists, officials and others as guests to observe meetings or present on their work. 

View our members