The debate on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) has shifted from definition of the concept towards implementation. In the European Union (EU) challenges and barriers coming from the scientific knowledge base and the institutional framework have been analysed elsewhere. However, in the current playing field other challenges have gone unnoticed. These relate to the way in which advice is provided and how the EAFM has been embedded within it. Moving a step back from science-policy interaction, this paper explores the advisory process developed by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to support the EAFM in EU policies. By analysing its mandate and implementation strategy we shed light on how this could be improved at an operational level. Although our analysis is limited to the ICES advice, this should be understood within the role of the different links in the advice chain, particularly in exploring the consequences of trade-offs among objectives that are a hallmark of the EAFM. This topic is under on-going research within MareFrame, and will be explored in Deliverable 1.6 on how to improve EAFM advice within the Common Fisheries Policy. The results are presented as a journal manuscript and provide insights and recommendations that are applicable in the current policy process, including ground rules for participatory processes, lessons learnt and identification of critical paths for future development.
