What does total allowable catch mean in the management of harp seal hunting?

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harp seal A mother harp seal and a young “whitecoat.” Adult harp seals are gray with black spots. Young harp seals are called “whitecoats,” “bedlamers,” “beaters,” or “graybacks,” depending on their age.

In the management of the harp seal industry, the "total allowable catch" (TAC) refers to the annual quota or limit set by government authorities—such as Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)—on the number of seals that may be harvested by hunters.1

This regulatory mechanism is used to manage the population and ensure the sustainability of the species. By establishing a specific numerical limit, authorities can control hunting pressure, which is particularly important as environmental conditions, such as fluctuations in sea ice coverage, change. For example, when ice coverage is reduced, the TAC may be lowered to protect the population. The implementation of these quotas, alongside other regulations regarding humane killing methods and the age of seals eligible for harvest, serves as a primary tool for governmental oversight of the sealing industry.1