Why in the News?
A recent legal dispute between the US and Russia has brought the issue of Total Allowable Catch (TAC) into the spotlight.
About Total Allowable Catch (TAC):
- TAC refers to the maximum quantity of a specific fish species that can be legally harvested in a defined period.
- It is established to prevent overfishing and ensure sustainable fish populations.
- These limits are essential for maintaining ecological balance and supporting long-term fishing industries.
Various Laws Governing TAC:
- TACs are set by international fisheries management organizations like:
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization).
- RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations) for shared or migratory fish stocks.
- European Union (EU): TACs are managed under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which sets quotas for member states based on scientific advice. Landing obligations ensure that all catches are counted against quotas, preventing waste.
- India: India enforces a seasonal fishing ban in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for 61 days to protect breeding fish. This ban serves as a TAC equivalent of zero for specific periods, supporting fish stock regeneration.
- New Zealand: The Fisheries Act sets TACs for various stocks and specifies catch limits in terms of weight or numbers, updated by official notices.
| [UPSC 2013] The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where:
Options: (a) Warm and cold atmospheric currents meet (b) Rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea (c) Warm and cold oceanic currents meet* (d) continental shelf is undulating. |
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