The Union Government has notified the Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

About the Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ

• These rules aim to establish a comprehensive framework for the sustainable harnessing of marine fisheries resources within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 

• Vision: The initiative aligns with the vision of a prosperous, inclusive Blue Economy and fulfills the Budget 2025–26 commitment to enable sustainable, technology-driven, and community-led marine fishing
• Speical Focus Regions: Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands (together 49% of India’s EEZ).

Key Features

• Empowerment of Cooperatives and FFPOs: Priority granted to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) for deep-sea fishing operations.
  • Promotion of mother-and-child vessel models for mid-sea transshipment under RBI supervision.
  • Focus on value addition, traceability, and certification to enhance seafood exports.
  • Emphasis on community-led, technology-enabled fisheries management.
• Comprehensive Support and Capacity Building: Training, exposure visits, and capacity building across the entire fisheries value chain from processing to exports.
  • Access to affordable credit under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
  • Focus on building technical and entrepreneurial capacity of coastal communities.
• Sustainability and Resource Conservation: Ban on harmful fishing practices: LED light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling.
  • Introduction of minimum legal fish size standards and Fisheries Management Plans in consultation with States.
  • Promotion of mariculture (e.g., sea-cage farming and seaweed cultivation) to reduce pressure on nearshore ecosystems.
  • Targeted support for small-scale fishers to access deep-sea resources and export high-value species like tuna.

• Digital Access Pass System (ReALCRaft Integration): Mechanized vessels must obtain a free Access Pass via the ReALCRaft portal, ensuring transparent, paperless operations.
  • Exemptions for traditional and small-scale fishers using non-motorized or small motorized crafts.
• Regulatory and Legal Reforms: Fish caught from the Indian EEZ recognized as “Indian origin” for customs and export purposes (not treated as imports).
  • Formulation of a National Plan of Action on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing to combat illegal activities.
  • Alignment with international best practices for marine governance.
• Safety, Security, and Surveillance: Mandatory transponders and QR-coded Aadhaar/Fishers ID Cards for all fishermen and vessels.
  • Integration of ReALCRaft with Nabhmitra Application for real-time tracking, communication, and navigation safety.
  • Enhanced coastal security coordination with the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
• Expected Impact
  • Empowerment of small-scale fishers and cooperatives.
  • Sustainable utilization of deep-sea resources.
  • Expansion of seafood exports and foreign exchange earnings.
  • Strengthened maritime safety, traceability, and coastal security.
  • Modernized, transparent, and inclusive fisheries governance model.

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About Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

• The EEZ, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from a country’s coastline.
  • It gives a country special rights to explore and use marine resources.
• Uses: Includes generating energy from wind and water, and extracting oil and natural gas.
• Exclusions: Does not cover the territorial sea or the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, but does include the contiguous zone.
• Rights of the Coastal State
  • Resource Management: The country can explore, use, and manage both living and non-living resources.
  • Energy Generation: It can produce energy from wind, water, and ocean currents.
  • Structures: Allowed to build and use artificial islands and other structures.
  • Research: Can conduct scientific research in the area.
  • Environmental Protection: Responsible for protecting and preserving the marine environment.

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