About - Overview
Area of competence
EIFAAC area of competence covers inland waters of member countries of EIFAAC (see blue shaded areas).
Mandate
The mission of EIFAAC is to promote the long-term sustainable development, utilization, conservation, restoration and responsible management of European inland fisheries and aquaculture, consistent with the objectives and principles of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and other relevant international instruments, and to support sustainable economic, social, and recreational activities towards these goals through:
- providing advice, information and coordination;
- encouraging enhanced stakeholder participation and communication; and
- the delivery of effective research.
The objectives of the Commission are:
- promote the sustainable development, utilization, conservation, management, protection and restoration of European inland fisheries and aquaculture resources based on the best available scientific advice and the application of an ecosystem approach, the precautionary approach and the need to safeguard biodiversity;
- identify and address strategic issues for European inland fisheries and aquaculture and provide advice and recommendations on future policies, measures and related actions needed to address the issues in a rapid and accountable manner as requested by Members;
- provide advice to managers/decision makers of inland fisheries and aquaculture as requested based on scientific, social, economic, legal and other factors; and
- serve as a forward-looking international platform for the collation, validation dissemination and consideration of information on common challenges and opportunities to European inland fisheries and aquaculture, and to this end, inter alia, proactively identify:
- relevant scientific, social, economic, legal, statistical and other information and make recommendations for decision makers taking into account the need to protect and preserve the aquatic ecosystems; and
- common problems and solutions, and harmonized approaches as appropriate.
The European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) was established as a regional fishery body (RFB) in 1957 by the FAO Council under Article VI-1 of the FAO Constitution. The first session was held in 1960 in Dublin, Ireland. Its initial name was the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC). In 2008 the Twenty Fifth Session of EIFAC, held in Antalya, Türkiye, proposed to change the name of EIFAC, introducing aquaculture in order to recognize the importance of aquaculture to the countries in Europe and to properly reflect the activities of EIFAC. The Council of FAO in its 140th Session in 2010 adopted Resolution 3/140, which approved the name change and revised Statutes of the Commission, whereby the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) was called European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC).
Since its establishment 65 year ago, EIFAAC has been an intergovernmental forum for collaboration and information exchange on inland fisheries and aquaculture among all European countries. Organizations and agencies involved in managing inland fisheries and aquaculture periodically need guidance from specialists and experts, both national and international, particularly during formulation of regional and national policies, strategic plans or technical guidelines. They also need to exchange views with their colleagues in Europe. National and provincial governments, river basin management authorities, aquaculture enterprises, and associations of sport and professional fishers, can call upon EIFAAC for expertise of specialized scientists and managers from its members. EIFAAC has been coordinating and carrying out research, and prepares guidelines, best-practices, policy recommendations and manuals on inland fisheries and aquaculture subjects to support the members.
The technical and scientific work of EIFAAC is undertaken through projects and working groups composed of specialists from EIFAAC member countries. EIFAAC provides technical advice on request, and links those who seek technical expertise to those who can provide it.
The FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) provides the Secretariat at FAO Headquarters in Rome. The Secretariat is composed of a senior fishery officer supported by various fishery and aquaculture experts. FAO assistance is also given by the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) and FAO Liaison Office in Brussels (LOB). The Secretariat organizes every two years a session and symposium, which are hosted by one of the member countries.