Unlocking India’s Offshore Fisheries Potential
India’s coastline spans approximately 11,099 km, with an EEZ of about 24 lakh square kilometres. Despite being the world’s second-largest producer of fisheries and aquaculture and exporting seafood worth ₹62,408 crore in FY 2024-25, most fishing occurs within 40–50 nautical miles of the coast. The vast EEZ, extending from 12 to 200 nautical miles, remains largely untapped, especially for high-value species like tuna.
EEZ Rules and Sustainable Fisheries Framework
Following the Union Budget 2025-26, the Government of India notified the “Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ, 2025” Rules on 4th November 2025, under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976. The rules promote responsible utilisation of marine resources and strengthen monitoring, compliance, and operational safety.
A National Framework on traceability in fisheries and aquaculture has been developed, ensuring end-to-end digital tracking, certification, and quality compliance across the seafood value chain.
Empowering Fishers and Coastal Communities
The new framework focuses on supporting traditional and small-scale fishers, fisheries cooperatives, Self Help Groups, and Farmer Fish Producer Organisations (FFPOs). Initiatives include deep-sea fishing, fish processing, value addition, marketing, and export facilitation. A Joint Working Group has been constituted with the Ministry of Cooperation to strengthen fisheries cooperatives across the entire value chain.
Strategic development of 34 fisheries production and processing clusters, including the Fishing Harbour Cluster at Veraval, is expected to enhance India’s seafood export competitiveness and generate sustainable livelihoods.
Digital Integration and Quality Assurance
The government is driving a transformation in the fisheries sector through digital integration, enabling catch certification, health certification, and modern processing infrastructure. This ensures compliance with international standards, improves value realisation, and allows fishers to directly benefit from premium global seafood markets.
Access Pass: A Transparent, Fisher-Centric Framework
The central feature of the EEZ Rules is the Access Pass Framework, which legally authorises fishing operations in India’s EEZ. The pass enables fishers to access high-value offshore resources, adhere to traceability and certification norms, and substantially increase incomes while enhancing seafood export potential.
The launch represents a milestone in India’s transition from nearshore-dependent fishing to a sustainable offshore fisheries regime, supporting the national vision of an inclusive Blue Economy.
