The European Union advocates a progressive implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management, which will contribute to efficient fishing activities within an economically viable and competitive fisheries industry, while minimising the impact of fishing on marine ecosystems. The European Union has steadily increased the number of plans governing fisheries, bringing the large majority of catches under multiannual management. In addition, fishing opportunities (Total Allowable Catches, effort restrictions) are fixed annually by the European Union (for some stocks, bi-annually). A broad array of technical conservation measures also come into play.