RACs were set up by Council Regulation (EC) N° 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy. (cf. attachment)
Article 31 Regional advisory councils
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.
Council Decision of 19 July 2004 establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy (2004/585/EC) set up 7 RACs. It provides for basic rules regarding the composition and functioning of the RACs. (cf. attachement)