Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): A Step Towards Blue Economy

Context:

On November 4, 2025, the Government of India notified the Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)—a landmark initiative towards building a prosperous and inclusive Blue Economy.

The Rules implement the Union Budget 2025–26 announcement to create an enabling framework for sustainable and technology-driven fisheries, especially focusing on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

1. Relevance for UPSC

Prelims:

EEZ under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
ReALCRaft portal
Blue Economy initiatives

Mains (GS Paper II & III):

Government schemes for fishermen and coastal development
Use of digital governance in marine management
Sustainable resource management and Blue Economy
Maritime security and IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing

2. Objectives of the EEZ Rules, 2025

Promote sustainable and responsible deep-sea fishing.
Empower Fishermen Cooperatives and FFPOs (Fish Farmer Producer Organizations).
Curb illegal and destructive fishing practices.
Strengthen traceability, certification, and value addition for global seafood markets.
Enhance coastal livelihood security through digital and transparent governance.

3. Empowering Cooperatives and Deep-Sea Fishing

Priority is given to fishermen cooperatives and FFPOs for deep-sea fishing and advanced vessel operations.
Introduction of “Mother-and-Child Vessel” concept for mid-sea transshipment under RBI’s regulatory framework.
Focus on Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, which together account for 49% of India’s EEZ—boosting exports of high-value species like tuna.

4. Capacity Building and Financial Support

Comprehensive training, international exposure, and value-chain development (processing, branding, exports).
Credit access through:
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)

These measures aim to make India’s marine sector globally competitive and economically inclusive.

5. Sustainable Practices and Biodiversity Conservation

Ban on harmful fishing techniques: LED light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling.
Minimum legal fish size norms to protect biodiversity.
Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) to be developed with States for restoring declining stocks.
Promotion of mariculture, including:
- Sea-cage farming
- Seaweed cultivation

→ These reduce coastal fishing pressure and provide alternate livelihoods for small-scale fishers.

6. Digital Access and Traceability: ReALCRaft Portal

Access Pass System

Required for mechanized and large motorized vessels.
Free, online, and paperless via ReALCRaft portal.
Small-scale and traditional fishers are exempted.
Ensures transparency, ease of doing business, and real-time tracking.

Integration

Linked with MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority) and Export Inspection Council (EIC).
Facilitates Fish Catch and Health Certificates, enabling exports to premium international markets.
Promotes eco-labelling, traceability, and sanitary compliance—boosting global credibility.

7. Regulatory Reforms and Maritime Security

Fish caught in India’s EEZ are now recognized as “Indian origin” under customs and revenue laws.
→ Ensures they are not treated as imports and are counted under Indian exports.
National Plan of Action on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing to be framed.
Transponders and QR-coded Fishers’ ID Cards made mandatory for vessel identification and safety.
Integration with Nabhmitra App for real-time tracking and coastal security—supports Indian Coast Guard and Navy operations.

8. Blue Economy and Marine Governance Impact

Strengthens India’s position in the global seafood value chain.
Promotes technology-enabled, sustainable fisheries governance.
Enhances livelihood opportunities for 50 lakh+ fishermen.
Aligns with SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and the Blue Economy Vision 2047.

9. Background and Need

India’s EEZ spans over 23 lakh sq. km and a coastline of 11,099 km.
Despite this, deep-sea resources like tuna remain underutilized.
Countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, and EU nations exploit the same ocean region more efficiently.
These rules aim to bridge that gap while ensuring sustainability and equity.

10. UPSC Key Facts Table

Feature	Details
Launched On	November 4, 2025
Announced In	Union Budget 2025–26
Implemented By	Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Portal	ReALCRaft (Registration and Licensing of Craft)
Focus Areas	EEZ & High Seas, especially Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep
Key Components	Sustainable fishing, digital access, export competitiveness, Blue Economy
Beneficiaries	50 lakh+ marine fishers, cooperatives, FFPOs
Prohibited Practices	LED light fishing, pair trawling, bull trawling
Global Alignment	UN SDG 14: Life Below Water; UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030)

11. Conclusion

The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 represent a transformative step in India’s Blue Economy strategy.

By integrating technology, sustainability, and community empowerment, these rules ensure:

Equitable growth for coastal communities,
Efficient use of ocean resources, and
Enhanced national maritime security.

This initiative not only modernizes India’s marine fisheries governance but also positions the country as a leader in sustainable ocean resource management—balancing economic growth with ecological responsibility.

Suryavanshi IAS

Saturday, November 8, 2025