The beginning of China's 13th five-year plan period marks a turning point in the sustainable development of China's fisheries management system. To help build capacity in setting and enforcing a total allowable catch (TAC) system, NRDC co-organized the first international TAC workshop with China Society of Fisheries and Environmental Defense Fund in Beijing and invited more than 10 experts from the U.S., Canada, EU, Japan, and China to share their experiences and insights and to provide recommendations on China’s first TAC pilot program. Over 60 senior governmental officials and scientists from China National Fishery Bureau and local fishery bureaus attended this workshop. The attendants had a lively discussion and expressed deep interest in learning more about international technical and policy details on TAC. The workshop was also useful in identifying key challenges that NRDC will continue to help address for TAC implementation in China.