News: Recently, the Government of India has notified the “Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025,”
About Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025
- The Rules aims to promote sustainable harnessing of deep-sea fisheries resources, empower small fishers’ cooperatives, and ensure ecological conservation.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
- Aligns with: It is aligned with India’s vision of building a prosperous and inclusive Blue Economy and fulfills Budget 2025–26 announcement.
- Legality: It come under the ambit of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976).
- Focus on: Rule specifically focused on Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands that account for nearly half of India’s EEZ.
- Applicability
- Rule is applicable to fishing and fishing related activities in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
- Traditional and small-scale fishers are exempted from this requirement.
- Prohibition of foreign vessels from operating in India’s EEZ.
- Key provisions
- Access Pass: A fully digital Access Pass via the ReALCRaft portal for mechanized and large motorized vessels, issued by an authority not below Deputy Director in the Department of Fisheries, Government of India.
- Empowering cooperatives and capacity building: Priority to cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), with training, international exposure, and credit under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
- Sustainable practices: Ban on LED light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling; minimum legal sizes and fisheries management plans framed with States.
- Mariculture promotion: Support for sea-cage farming and seaweed cultivation to reduce nearshore pressure and create livelihoods.
- Digital compliance: ReALCRaft integrates with Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Export Inspection Council (EIC) for Fish Catch and Health Certificates, ensuring traceability and export compliance.
- Safety, Security, and Regulation:
- Mandatory use of transponders and QR-coded ID cards enhances sea safety.
- The ReALCRaft system is linked with Nabhmitra for vessel tracking and coastal security support to agencies like the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
- National Plan of Action on IUU Fishing: A national plan will be prepared to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in India’s EEZ.
- Indian origin” clarity: Fish caught in the EEZ beyond the contiguous zone will be treated as Indian origin under customs norms.
