In November 2025, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), notified the “Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)” Rules, fulfilling the Union Budget 2025–26 commitment to create a framework for sustainable fisheries and unlock India’s marine potential.
- The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025, notified under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, came into force on 4 November 2025.
- The rules aim to boost seafood exports, empower local fishing communities, and focus on the Andaman & Nicobar(A&N) and Lakshadweep Islands, which together account for 49% of India’s EEZ.
Exam Hints:
- What? Notification of Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in EEZ
- By Whom? MoFAHD
- When? November 4, 2025
- Focus Areas: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands
- Objective: Empower fishermen, cooperatives, and FFPOs; promote sustainable deep-sea fishing; enhance seafood exports
- Key Schemes for Support:PMMSY, FIDF
- Digital Platform: ReALCRaft portal for online Access Passes and integrated export certification
- Access Pass: Mandatory for vessels ≥24 m; valid 3 years;
About Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in EEZ Rules, 2025, :
Priority:The Rules apply to all fishing and related activities in India’s EEZ, prioritizing Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) for deep‑sea fishing and advanced vessel operations.
Access Pass: Mechanized and motorized fishing vessels measuring 24 meters(m) or more must obtain an Access Pass via Registration And Licensing of Fishing Craft (ReALCRaft) to operate in the EEZ. It is issued under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
- The Access Pass is valid for three years and must be renewed at least 30 days before expiration.
- 2.38 lakh vessels registered; 64,187 mechanized vessels need Access Pass; 1.72 lakh smaller vessels are exempt.
- ReALCRaft is being integrated with Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) to issue Fish Catch and Health Certificates, essential for exporting seafood to premium international markets.
Sustainable Practices: Harmful fishing methods like Light Emitting Diode (LED) light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling prohibited.
- Minimum legal sizes are prescribed for all fish species, state‑consulted Fisheries Management Plans aim to restore declining stocks, and mariculture is promoted as an alternative livelihood.
Innovation & Infrastructure:“Mother-and-child vessel” concept for mid-sea transshipment, aiding island regions.
- Fish caught in the Indian EEZ will be recognized as ‘Indian origin’ under customs norms.
Safety & Security: Mandatory transponders and Quick Response (QR)-coded Aadhaar/Fishers identification (ID) cards for vessel safety.
- Nabhmitra Application(app_ integration supports Indian Coast Guard(ICG) and Indian Navy(IN) in coastal security.
Support & Development: The Government will support fishers and cooperatives/FFPOs through training, global exposure, and capacity building across the value chain, while ensuring easy credit access under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) schemes.
Coastline Data: India has an 11,099 kilometer(km) coastline and an EEZ of 23 lakh square kilometer (sq km), supporting 50 lakh fishers; it is the world’s 2nd largest fish producer with seafood exports worth Rs.60,000 crore.
About Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAHD):
Union Minister– Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (Constituency- Munger, Bihar)
Ministers of State (MoS)– Professor. S.P. Singh Baghel (Constituency- Agra, Uttar Pradesh, UP); George Kurian ( Rajya Sabha – Madhya Pradesh, MP)
