New Delhi – India has rolled out fresh rules for the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that aim to boost deep‑sea fishing and raise seafood exports. The guidelines focus on value addition, traceability and certification to help the industry reach global markets.
Who gets priority?
The new framework gives the first choice to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs). They can run deep‑sea fishing missions and manage high‑tech vessels, giving small‑scale fishers a chance to grow.
Why the change?
The ministry said the move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to unlock India’s marine potential. It aligns with the Budget 2025‑26 promise to create an enabling environment for sustainable fisheries in the Indian EEZ and high seas, especially around the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep—areas that cover 49% of India’s EEZ.
Boosting exports from island regions
In the islands, the use of mother‑and‑child vessels will help move high‑quality fish directly to international buyers. Cooperation with local fishers will drive better processing, branding and marketing.
Support and training
The government will offer training, international exposure trips and capacity‑building programmes covering the whole value chain—from catching to marketing. Easy and affordable credit will be delivered through flagship schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
Protecting the marine ecosystem
The rules ban harmful practices like LED light fishing, pair trawling and bull trawling. They also set a minimum legal size for fish and outline Fisheries Management Plans with state governments to restore declining stocks.
Alternate livelihoods
Mariculture, such as sea‑cage farming and seaweed cultivation, will be promoted to reduce pressure on near‑shore areas while increasing production without hurting the environment.
Benefits for small‑scale fishers
The initiative is designed to give small‑scale fishers and their cooperatives access to deep‑sea resources. They can earn higher incomes and export high‑value species like tuna to global markets.
Modern infrastructure and monitoring
A key feature is the introduction of the mother‑and‑child vessel concept, allowing mid‑sea transshipment under a strict monitoring system aligned with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations.
With India’s coastline stretching over 11,099 km and an EEZ of more than 23 lakh square kilometres, these reforms will support the livelihoods of more than 50 lakh fishermen across 13 maritime states and union territories.
Source: ianslive
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