Regional Advisory Councils were first proposed during the review of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002 as a method of ensuring greater stakeholder involvement in the policy making processes of fisheries management.

The North Western Waters Regional Advisory Council (NWWRAC) was established in September 2005 in accordance with Council Decision 2004/585/EC, which set out a common framework for Regional Advisory Councils.

The principal aim of the NWWRAC is to bring together stakeholders from across Europe, to advise the Commission on matters of fisheries management in respect of the North Western Waters - ICES areas Vb (EC waters), VI, VII.

The NWWRAC is one of seven Regional Advisory Councils, advising on, the Baltic Sea; Mediterranean Sea; North Sea; South-western waters; Pelagic stocks; High seas/long distant water fleets.