The foundations, notified on November 4, fulfil the Funds 2025-26 announcement and are anticipated to open new avenues for India's marine fisheries sector, notably in tapping high-value tuna sources which have remained largely underutilised regardless of neighbouring nations harvesting them within the Indian Ocean area, the fishery ministry stated in an announcement.
The brand new framework prioritises Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for endeavor deep-sea fishing operations utilizing technologically superior vessels.
A key innovation is the introduction of the mother-and-child vessel idea, which permits mid-sea transhipment underneath Reserve Financial institution of India (RBI) laws, notably helpful for the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, which account for 49 per cent of India's EEZ space.
To guard the marine ecosystem, the foundations ban dangerous fishing practices corresponding to LED gentle fishing, pair trawling and bull trawling.
Minimal authorized sizes for fish species will probably be prescribed, and Fisheries Administration Plans will probably be developed in session with stakeholders, together with state governments.Below the brand new guidelines, mechanised and large-sized motorised vessels would require an Entry Cross, which could be obtained freed from price by the net ReALCRaft portal.Conventional and small-scale fishers working motorised or non-motorised crafts are exempted. The digital system is designed to be time-bound, permitting boat house owners to use with minimal documentation and observe purposes in actual time with out visiting any workplace.
At the moment, round 2.38 lakh fishing vessels throughout 13 coastal states and Union Territories are registered on the portal. Whereas about 1.72 lakh smaller vessels are exempt, some 64,187 mechanised fishing vessels will probably be required to acquire Entry Passes for EEZ operations.
Crucially, overseas fishing vessels will not be allowed to get entry go underneath any preparations, to safeguard the pursuits of small-scale fishers.
The ReALCRaft portal is being built-in with the Marine Merchandise Export Improvement Authority (MPEDA) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) for issuing Fish Catch and Well being Certificates, key necessities for exporting seafood to premium worldwide markets.
This built-in digital system ensures end-to-end traceability, sanitary compliance and eco-labelling, enhancing the worldwide competitiveness of Indian marine merchandise.
The foundations additionally carry regulatory reforms recognising fish sources from the Indian EEZ past the contiguous zone as ‘Indian origin' underneath income and customs norms, in order that they don't seem to be handled as ‘imports' whereas touchdown at Indian ports.
The federal government will present complete assist by coaching programmes, worldwide publicity visits and capacity-building initiatives throughout the worth chain, together with processing, worth addition, advertising and marketing, branding and exports.
Entry to credit score will probably be facilitated underneath flagship schemes such because the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Improvement Fund (FIDF).
To make sure security and safety, the foundations mandate using transponders for deep-sea fishing vessels and QR-coded Aadhaar Card/Fishers ID Card for identification.
The ReALCraft software has been built-in with the Nabhmitra Utility utilized by fishermen for protected navigation, which can even assist marine enforcement companies, together with the Indian Coast Guard and Navy, strengthen coastal safety.
India's 11,099 km shoreline and EEZ of over 23 lakh sq. kilometres present livelihood to greater than 50 lakh folks within the fishing neighborhood.
India ranks second globally in fish manufacturing and aquaculture, with seafood exports valued at Rs 60,000 crore.
Nonetheless, the complete potential of the nation's EEZ, particularly high-value sources within the deep-sea, together with tuna, has remained underutilised.
International locations together with Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, Iran and European nations presently catch substantial portions of tuna within the Indian Ocean area, whereas Indian fishing fleets have been largely restricted to nearshore waters.
The brand new guidelines mark a shift in direction of community-led fashions combining digital innovation with sustainable fishing practices, aimed toward strengthening India's place within the international seafood commerce, whereas defending marine ecosystems.
