MF1237 - Development of an evaluation framework for the Common Fisheries Policy

The reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) came into force on the 1st January 2014. The CFP is made up of a number of different aspects which will be phased in over the coming years. To support future negotiations on the CFP and influence the scope of the negotiations, the current reforms need to be evaluated and robust evidence on the effects of the current regime developed.

The primary aim of this project is to develop an evaluation framework for the CFP so that the effects of the recent reforms to the CFP can be evaluated in future years. This evaluation will contribute to the evidence that will be used to assess and inform debate about the success, or otherwise, of recent changes and what further reforms may be needed when the next CFP is negotiated.

The project will also provide a guidance note for developing evaluation frameworks for large and complex interventions with a European dimension. The note will relate to both UK and EU evaluation guidance to ensure acceptability at UK and EU level. The guidance note will be used more widely within Defra to help prioritise and establish evaluations of large European policies.

The project will be delivered over three core phases. Phases 1 and 2 address the CFP evaluation framework objective. Phase 3 addresses the evaluation framework guidance note objective.