India Notifies New Deep-Sea Fishing Rules, Prioritizing Indian Fishers and Banning Foreign Vessels

The Centre has officially notified new rules for deep-sea fishing operations within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a move aimed at unlocking significant marine resources. These rules, notified on November 4, fulfil a promise made in Budget 2025-26. The primary focus is to expand opportunities for India's marine fisheries sector, especially in lucrative tuna fishing, which has been underutilized by domestic fleets while being heavily exploited by foreign nations. The new framework gives first preference to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for deep-sea operations, encouraging the use of technologically advanced vessels. A key innovation is the "mother-and-child vessel" model, allowing mid-sea transhipment of fish, which is expected to particularly benefit the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, covering almost half of India's EEZ.

The rules also enforce environmental protection by prohibiting harmful practices such as LED light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling. Fisheries Management Plans will be developed collaboratively with stakeholders, and minimum legal sizes for fish species will be established. Mechanised and larger vessels will require a free Access Pass via the ReALCRaft portal, ensuring digital tracking and transparency, while traditional and small-scale fishers are exempt. Foreign vessels are completely barred from Indian waters to protect domestic interests.

The digital system is being integrated with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Export Inspection Council (EIC) to streamline the issuance of health and catch certificates, crucial for premium global markets. Catch from India's EEZ will be recognised as 'Indian origin'. The government will provide support through training, capacity building, and facilitating credit access via schemes like Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). Safety measures include mandatory transponders and QR-coded ID cards, linking the ReALCRaft system to the Nabhmitra app for navigation and security.

Impact: This policy is poised to significantly boost India's seafood export industry, potentially leading to substantial revenue growth and job creation in the fisheries sector. It could drive investment in modern fishing technologies, processing, and logistics. The focus on sustainable practices also aligns with global environmental standards, enhancing the marketability of Indian seafood exports. The ban on foreign vessels directly supports domestic fishermen. Impact Rating: 7/10

Difficult Terms: * **Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)**: An area of the sea extending up to 200 nautical miles from India's coast where India has special rights over exploring and using marine resources. * **Fishermen Cooperative Societies**: Groups of fishermen who come together to work collectively for mutual benefit, sharing resources and profits. * **Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs)**: Farmer-Producer Organisations specifically for fish farmers, aimed at improving their economic condition by providing support in production, procurement, marketing, and processing. * **Transhipment**: The transfer of cargo (in this case, fish) from one vessel to another vessel while at sea. * **ReALCRaft portal**: A digital platform for registering fishing vessels and managing access passes for operations in Indian waters. * **Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)**: An Indian government agency that promotes seafood exports. * **Export Inspection Council (EIC)**: A government body that sets standards and certifies food products, including seafood, for export. * **Nabhmitra app**: A mobile application used for real-time navigation, weather updates, and communication for fishing communities, integrated with coastal security systems. * **Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)**: A flagship scheme by the Indian government to bring about sustainable and responsible development in the fisheries sector. * **Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)**: A fund established to provide financial assistance for the development of infrastructure in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.