Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Announces 2nd Call for 'TAC-Based Fishery Regulation Relaxation Pilot Project'

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 18th that it will open applications for fishing organizations to participate in the 'Total Allowable Catch (TAC)-based Fishery Regulation Relaxation Pilot Project' from the 19th to May 19th.

Last year, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries launched the TAC-based fishery regulation relaxation pilot project for the first time. In the pilot project application, 28 organizations applied, and three regulation relaxation items from two organizations were selected.

Fishing organizations wishing to participate in the second pilot project application must meet the same three requirements as last year. First, all catch volumes must be managed under the TAC system. Previously, there were no quantitative restrictions on species other than the 12 species subject to TAC. However, if participating in the pilot project, TAC will be set for major coastal species other than the 12 species, and species caught in small quantities as bycatch will be grouped and managed as 'other species.' From a resource management perspective, the important TAC utilization rate is conservatively set with a target of 90% or higher, stricter than before.

Additionally, fishing vessels must be mandatorily equipped with location transmission devices such as 'INMARSAT' (a vessel position transmission system using satellite communication networks) that cannot be arbitrarily manipulated. The location information will be monitored in real-time by the fishery management team.

Along with this, catch quantities by species must be entered at sea before landing using the electronic catch reporting system. This information is transmitted in real-time to land, and all catches must be landed at designated sales locations (121 auction sites nationwide), where fishery management teams and fisheries resource surveyors from the Fisheries Resources Management Corporation will verify species, catch volume, and illegal fishing status.

Furthermore, points will be awarded if fishing vessels install CCTV for smooth monitoring or take voluntary measures to protect fishery resources.

Fishing organizations that meet these requirements can fill out the application form and business plan available on the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries website and submit them by mail (registered mail only) or in person. The Ministry plans to select pilot project participants after experts review the regulation relaxation items applied by fishing organizations for their impact on the sustainability of fishery resources and other industries’ operations, followed by deliberation by the Central Fisheries Adjustment Committee.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.