Continuing the Expansion of TAC and Solidifying the Foundation for Establishing the System

 

- First application of the new TAC to blue mackerel and blackfin flounder, participation of small-scale purse-seine fishery and dredge fishing in TAC

 

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced that it has finalized the implementation plan for the Total Allowable Catch (TAC)*, with the scheme to be implemented starting Tuesday, July 1.

 

 * A system that allows fishing only within a set catch amount for each species, determined after assessing the resources

 

 In December last year, MOF established the Comprehensive Plan for Climate Change Response in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector, which contained the full expansion of the TAC scheme and easing of existing fisheries regulations to minimize damage to fishermen and ensure the sustainability of the fisheries and aquaculture industries in response to climate change.

 

 As a follow-up measure, this implementation plan includes the sequential expansion of TAC by adding blue mackerel and blackfin flounder as target species and expanding the TAC-participating industries to small-scale purse-seine fishery and dredge fishing. In addition, MOF plans to strengthen the TAC management for mottled skate and hairtail, which have recently shown an increased need for resource management.

 

 MOF has operated the TAC application in three stages: <1. Preparation>, <2. Trial>, and <3. Implementation>. Fishermen provide catch data for their vessel to the government in the Preparation Stage, operate fishing according to the TAC assigned to the vessel in the Trial Stage, and face penalties for any TAC violation in the Implementation Stage.

 

 Additional fish species and fisheries will be applied from Stage 2, entering Stage 3 after the trial. For the coastal TAC that applies Stage 1 (Preparation) to blue crab and snow crab, TAC will be extended for an additional year to strengthen TAC execution through PR and education for coastal fishers.

 

 TAC’s Stage 3 (Implementation) to be applied starting July 1 will cover 15 species in 17 fisheries with a total quota of 615,573 tons, same as last year. Stage 2 (Trial) will be applied to 10 species (e.g., anchovies) in 11 fisheries with quota of 166,992 tons. Stage 1 (Preparation) will be applied to 2 species (e.g., blue crabs) in 6 fisheries with quota of 25,668 tons.

 

 “TAC-centered fisheries resource management is essential for a sustainable fisheries production system. We plan to continue expanding TAC while also working to ensure that the system is firmly established in the field and easing unnecessary regulation,” Minister Kang Do-hyung said.