Evolution of China’s Total Allowable Catch (TAC) system: Review and way forward

Abstract

As one of the principal forms of output controls, implementation of a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) system has been increasingly emphasized in China’s contemporary fisheries management policy. In this study, we conducted a detailed analysis of China’s TACs policies and further explored current challenges and way forward in terms of implementation of TACs in China. China’s TAC policies can be divided into two stages with distinctive characteristics: i) policy introduction stage (during 2000–2016) and ii) policy implementation stage (during 2017–2022). Based on a summary of current management system in China’s TAC pilots combine with the actual situation of fisheries in China, we identified the following issues impeding successful implementation of TACs on a large scale, namely, insufficient legal liability for breaching of TACs; ineffective regulatory control of quota allocations and fish landings; multi-species fisheries; challenges of fisher resettlement; and fishers’ insufficient understanding of the role of TACs. Integrating solutions to these problems within the existing system of fishery management in China, corresponding safeguard measures were proposed to ensure the smooth implementation of the TACs programmes in China.