CHENNAI: The central government has announced a new set of rules governing deep-sea fishing activities within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with a focus on empowering traditional fishermen, cooperatives, and small-scale operators.
The notification, issued this week, marks the implementation of a key Budget 2025–26 commitment aimed at promoting sustainable exploitation of India’s vast marine resources while enhancing livelihoods in coastal communities.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the revised framework seeks to streamline licensing and operational norms for deep-sea fishing vessels, ensure equitable access to offshore resources, and encourage the adoption of modern fishing technologies. The rules also emphasize the role of fishermen cooperatives and self-help groups in managing fleets and marketing their catch directly, reducing dependence on large commercial intermediaries.
Officials said the move is expected to improve India’s deep-sea fishing capacity, which has remained underutilized despite the country’s extensive 2.02 million sq km EEZ. By aligning resource management with sustainability goals, the government aims to balance economic opportunity with conservation imperatives.
Industry observers noted that the new policy could open avenues for employment, enhance fish exports, and reduce pressure on coastal fisheries that have been nearing depletion levels in several states. However, effective enforcement and capacity-building will be crucial for the rules to deliver tangible results on the ground.