Presently, around 2.38 lakh fishing vessels throughout 13 seaside States and Union Territories are signed up on the portal|Image Credit: HANDOUT_E_MAIL
The Centre has actually alerted brand-new guidelines for deep-sea fishing in the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), prohibiting foreign vessels from running in Indian waters to assist empower anglers and their cooperatives. The federal government likewise revealed that it would be framing a National Plan of Action to hinder unlawful fishing practices in Indian EEZ.
Seen to open the capacity of India’s large marine resources, the brand-new guidelines for deep-sea fishing in EEZ, which belonged to Budget 2025-26 statements, concentrate on empowering small fishers and broadening the opportunities for marine fisheries sector. The brand-new structure prioritises Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for carrying out deep-sea fishing utilizing highly innovative vessels.
“Under the EEZ Rules, an Access Pass is needed for mechanised and large-sized motorised vessels, which can be acquired totally free of expense through the online ReALCRaft website. The standard and small fishers running motorised or non-motorised fishing crafts are excused from acquiring an Access Pass. Foreign fishing vessels are not enabled to get the gain access to pass to run in India’s EEZ, under any plans, in order to protect the interests of small fishers,” the Ministry of Fisheries stated in a declaration on Saturday.
Presently, around 2.38 lakh fishing vessels throughout 13 seaside States and Union Territories are signed up on the website. Out of which, 1.72 lakh little vessels are exempt, however 64,187 mechanised fishing vessels will be needed to acquire Access Passes for EEZ operations.
The ReALCRaft website is under combination procedure with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) for releasing Fish Catch and Health Certificates, which are compulsory for export to primary global markets such as the United States. This integrated digital system will make sure end-to-end traceability, hygienic compliance and eco-labelling, boosting the worldwide competitiveness of Indian marine items.
The federal government likewise stated that a crucial development is the intro of the “mother-and-child” vessel idea, which enables mid-sea transhipment under Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policies, especially advantageous for the Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, which represent 49 percent of India’s EEZ location.
The federal government has actually prohibited hazardous fishing practices such as LED light fishing, set trawling and bull trawling to secure the marine environment. Even more, it stated that minimum legal sizes for fish types will be recommended quickly, and Fisheries Management Plans will be established in assessment with stakeholders, consisting of State federal governments.
As numerous as over 50 lakh individuals in 11,099 km shoreline and over 23 lakh square kilometres under EEZ make their income from fishing in India, world’s second biggest fish manufacturer.
Highlighting that India’s export incomes from fish and fishery items doubled to 60,523 crore in 2023-24 from 30,213 crore in 2013-14, NITI Aayog in a report last month stated that a focussed technique on deep sea fishing and a financial investment of about 9,000 crore over next 15 years will assist sectors such as inland fisher shine.
Released on November 8, 2025
