The initiative, introduced within the Union Finances 2025-26, goals to create an enabling framework for sustainable fisheries from India's EEZ and excessive seas, with a particular give attention to the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a launch said that the brand new EEZ Guidelines prioritise Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for deep-sea fishing operations and administration of technologically superior vessels. The initiative seeks to boost seafood exports by selling worth addition, traceability, and certification, whereas making certain sustainability, the discharge added.
A key characteristic is the introduction of the mother-and-child vessel idea, which is able to permit mid-sea transshipment beneath strict monitoring according to Reserve Financial institution of India laws.
The system is predicted to spice up exports of high-quality fish, notably from island territories that account for almost half of India's EEZ space.
To assist fishermen and their cooperatives, the federal government will prolong help via coaching, worldwide publicity visits, and capacity-building initiatives throughout the worth chain — together with processing, branding, and advertising.Credit score entry will likely be facilitated via flagship schemes such because the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Improvement Fund (FIDF).The foundations strictly prohibit dangerous fishing practices resembling LED gentle fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling to guard marine ecosystems. Minimal authorized fish sizes and Fisheries Administration Plans will likely be launched to revive declining fish shares. Mariculture actions like sea-cage farming and seaweed cultivation will likely be promoted as alternate livelihoods to cut back strain on nearshore fishing.
A totally digital Entry Go system has been launched via the ReALCRaft portal for mechanised vessels, making certain transparency and ease of operation. Integration with MPEDA and EIC will facilitate traceability and eco-labelling for world seafood exports.
Moreover, the principles introduce regulatory reforms to categorise fish caught within the Indian EEZ as of Indian origin and mandate transponders and QR-coded ID playing cards to boost sea security and coastal safety, supporting enforcement companies just like the Indian Navy and Coast Guard in safeguarding nationwide waters.
