Prelims – Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development.
Why in News?
Total Allowable Catch (TAC) is often seen in news when India imposes a monsoon fishing ban.
Total Allowable Catch (TAC)– It is a regulatory limit on the total quantity of fish that can be harvested from a specific water body or region.
It is typically imposed by government agencies and international bodies with jurisdiction over fisheries or fish stocks in seas, oceans, lakes, and other water bodies.
Ecological Importance
Population sustainability – It helps to maintain a minimum fish population size that allows species to reproduce and sustain themselves over time.
Preventing overfishing – Without TAC limits, excessive fishing can deplete populations beyond their ability to recover naturally.
Ecosystem balance – Maintaining healthy fish stocks supports broader marine ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Implementation in India
Seasonal fishing ban - India implements a complete fishing ban (effectively a TAC of zero) for 61 days annually in the exclusive economic zone.
Regional timing – The ban operates from April 15 to June 14 on the east coast andJune 1 to July 31 on the west coast.
International Dispute
Patagonian toothfish case– It is the dispute involving the US and Russia.
Since 2021, Russia has refused to accept the TAC for Patagonian toothfish in the South Atlantic Ocean established by the Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
The rejection forced all other countries on the Commission to set their own limits.
The UK subsequently adopted a lower TAC for the Patagonian toothfish in the area.
