About the Baltic Sea AC

The Baltic Sea Advisory Council (BSAC) was initially established in 2006. This was kicked off by the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy of 2002 and furthered by the reform of 2013.

The main aim of the BSAC is to prepare and provide advice on the management of Baltic Sea fisheries in order to achieve a successful running of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy.

The BSAC consists of organisations representing the fisheries and other interest groups affected by the CFP (eg. environmental, organisations, and sports and recreational fisheries organisations).

With the creation of Advisory Councils, the European Union policymakers introduced and formalised stakeholder involvement in the policy making process at regional level. The BSAC members legally have to be consulted on a number of regulatory texts prepared by the European Commission and the Member States. In a truly bottom-up approach, the organisation can also advise on any other relevant policy that can be improved.

BSAC Annual Report, Work Programme, and Performance review

The BSAC produces every year an annual report of its work. You can download the BSAC Annual Report for 2023-2024. The previous annual reports can be requested by email to the secretariat.

Similarly, a work programme is prepared for the year. You can download the BSAC Work Programme for 2024-2025. The previous work programmes can be requested by email to the secretariat.

Every 5 years, the BSAC launches a performance review to evaluate its functioning. You can download the Evaluation of the BSAC that was published in January 2021.

BSAC was established in 2006

BSAC produced up to 25 recommendations in a year

BSAC currently counts 38 members

2 criteria for membership: hold a stake in the Baltic Sea fisheries resources, and share the aim of the BSAC

Meet the BSAC team

The work of the BSAC is supported by the Secretariat. The Secretariat staff currently consists of Andrea Ordaz-Németh and Ewa Milewska. The Secretariat is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The BSAC elects Chair persons to run the organisation and the meetings: A General Assembly Chair and Vice-Chair(s), an Executive Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, and Chairs of the working groups.

Matti Ovaska

Vice-Chair of the General Assembly

Andrea Ordaz-Németh

Executive Secretary

Ewa Milewska

Rapporteur Information Assistant

Vesa Karttunen

Chair of the BSAC General Assembly

Jaroslaw (Jarek) Zieliński

Chair of the Executive Committee

Glenn Douglas

Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee

Teija Aho

Chair of the Demersal WG

Lise Laustsen

Chair of the Pelagic WG

Matti Ovaska

Chair of the Working Group on Ecosystem Based Management

Christian Tsangarides

Vice-Chair of the BSAC General Assembly

Want to join an upcoming meeting?

Our Members

Members are at the centre of the BSAC. These organisations or federations of organisations come from the 8 different Member States around the Baltic Sea. The BSAC currently counts 38 members. Their expertise allows policy makers to get a specialised advice to adapt the regulations to the particularities of the Baltic.

Our Members

Finances and Travel Reimbursement

Financial resources are provided by the European Commission for about 85%. The remaining is paid by the Member States and the members as an annual fee. The budget is used to organise meetings and reimburse members taking part, interpretation and staff salaries.

Members and invited speakers can be reimbursed for the travel expenses following the BSAC reimbursement guidelines.

Reimbursement Guidelines24_25

BSACReimbursement Form24-25

Declarationsmall-scale-fishers24-25