Pulling mechanisms and pushing strategies: How to improve Ecosystem Approach Fisheries Management advice within the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy

•Conceptualizing advice in support of an ecosystem approach in accordance with 2013 CFP.•EAFM advice currently (2014-2018) provided by EU advisory bodies.•Mapping of the actors and EAFM advisory process for fisheries management in the EU.•Provision of EAFM advice responds mainly to pulling mechanisms: mandatory requests from the advisory system.•Advisory system does not leave much space for the formation of pushing strategies: investments and initiatives made by stakeholders (and authorities) to move to EAFM.