NEW DELHI: The Government of India is making a prosperous and inclusive Blue Economy, by notifying Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone on 4 November 2025. This reform is aimed to being in support with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vision for increasing vast marine potential while trying to attain ecological balance, economic empowerment and digital governance.
This initiative is announced in fulfilment of the Budget 2025–26, a commitment to create an enabling framework for sustainable fisheries in the Indian EEZ and High Seas with a focused emphasis on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands which together represent nearly half of India’s maritime territory.
This policy regulates fishing through a mix of technology, transparency and community-led models, India has stepped into a new era where the ocean stands both as a source of livelihood and a symbol of sustainability.
New Era for India’s Marine Sector
The 11,000-kilometre-long coastline of India supports over 50 lakh fisherfolk in 13 maritime States and Union Territories. Despite being the second-largest fish-producing nation in the world, Indian deep-sea fishing capacity has long been underutilized.
While countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Maldives have tapped tuna and other high-value species in the Indian Ocean, Indian fleets were confined largely to nearshore waters. The new EEZ Rules seek to buck this trend of expanding India’s reach deeper into its own deep-sea territories.
By putting in place a legal framework that supervises deep-sea fishing, India can ensure higher productivity without ecological exploitation, cutting reliance on imported seafood while increasing seafood exports which is valued at approximately Rs 60,000 crores yearly.
Empowering Coastal Communities through Cooperative Models
The essence of the EEZ Rules is community first. For carrying out deep-sea fishing operations, the government accords priority to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and FFPOs. These cooperatives will manage advanced vessels fitted with the latest navigation and processing systems to take the country from its traditional fishing to a value-added, export-oriented model.
The revolutionary concept of “mother-and-child vessels” comprises a larger mother vessel, which supports smaller vessels for mid-sea operations and transshipment. It will decongest the coast and consume less fuel while extending fishing expeditions with greater efficiency.
The model also opens up new export opportunities for the premium species of tuna, mackerel and sea bass, especially for island ecosystems like Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep by bringing empowerment to island communities without degrading fragile marine ecosystems.
From Catch to Commerce: Strengthening Value Chains
The EEZ Rules integrates the entire value chain from catch to certification. Fishers and cooperatives will be given training and international exposure visits and technical support in processing, packaging, branding and exports.
The access to low-interest credit and modern infrastructure will be expanded through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). According to PIB fisheries division, capacity building programmes in line with the Blue Revolution aim at achieving an increase in productivity with nutritional security, coupled with sustainable livelihoods.
The ecosystem approach turns fisheries from a mere subsistence activity to an advanced enterprise, as it enhances rural incomes and develops India share in world seafood markets.
Addressing Illicit and Detrimental Practices
Sustainability forms the backbone of the EEZ Rules. The regulations clearly prohibit the use of destructive fishing methods, including LED light fishing, pair trawling and bull trawling, which have conventionally depleted fish stocks and disrupted marine biodiversity.
Introduction of FMPs ensures that harvesting of every species from the Indian seas is carried out within sustainable limits. These will be developed in consultation with State governments, research bodies and coastal communities in a participatory manner, based on science advice, reflecting India’s commitment to this process.
These Rules prescribe a minimum legal size for catch species in order to prevent overfishing of juveniles. The Government also intends to bring out a National Plan of Action on IUU Fishing as per the FAO Global Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries to make India comply with international norms.
Aquaculture Expanding Livelihood Opportunities and Securing the Coastline
As the EEZ Rules recognize that sustainable fishing also means reducing pressure on natural stocks, they actively promote mariculture, or the farming of marine species like seaweed, shellfish and high-value fish in sea cages. These livelihood alternatives reduce dependency on nearshore fishing and also generate year-round income opportunities.
Cage farming in the sea and cultivation of mussels have already been successfully piloted in the coastal states of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat in India. The new EEZ framework now plans to scale this nationally in addition to encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship by youth and women within fishing communities.
ReALCRaft a Digital Backbone of the Blue Economy
The most transformative aspects of this reform are found in the introduction of the ReALCRaft portal, a national digital platform where registration and licensure of fishing vessels, transfers of ownership and issuance of Access Passes are to be done in real time without any physical contact or paper.
Under the new Rules:
• Motorized and large mechanized vessels require an Access Pass, which is free.
• Traditional and small-scale fishers are exempted to ensure inclusivity.
• The system is completely digital and time-bound, thus totally dispelling bureaucratic delays.
This comes with integration with MPEDA and the Export Inspection Council, ensuring that each fish catch is traceable, certified and exportable to the most stringent quality standards. It has enhanced the credibility of India in premium international markets where such sustainability and hygiene certifications are prerequisites.
Safety, Security and Sovereignty at Sea
The EEZ Rules further consolidate the safety net with respect to India’s fishers. The binding use of transponders on deep-sea vessels guarantees tracking and communication at all times, thus enhancing the safety of fishermen and improving national security.
Integrations with the NABHMITRA application allow for two-way communication with the fishers and maritime authorities for real-time weather alerts, distress signals and routing. The QR-coded Aadhaar Fisher ID Cards further ensure secure identification and operational monitoring.
For the enforcement agencies like the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy this digital improvement enhances the coastal surveillance and prevents possible illegal intrusion by foreign vessels. In a region where maritime competition is growing stronger, these reforms reinforce the oceanic sovereignty of India and go hand in hand with its SAGAR doctrine.
Economic and Export Implications
Such catches would be recognized as of ‘Indian origin’ and exporters will not face any customs-related hurdles in treating them as imports. This is crucial for bringing all revenue generated from marine resources into the Indian exchequer and boosting Blue GDP.
Smoothening of documentation and certification processes will facilitate India’s opening of exports to Japan, the European Union and the United States where traceability standards are high.
Value addition within Indian jurisdiction would be ensured in order to maximize national gains in marine resources with the integration of a mid-sea transshipment system under the governance of RBI.
The EEZ Rules build upon two decades of progressive marine policy reforms:
· Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, 2020: Emphasis on sustainable fisheries, post-harvest management and cold chain infrastructure.
· Blue Revolution (2015–2020): It laid the foundation for integrating inland and marine aquaculture under one growth framework.
· Marine Fisheries Policy 2017: Introduced targets for sustainability and initial deep-sea exploration.
· Coastal Community Development Programme: Strengthened coastal infrastructure, skill development and alternative livelihoods.
The rules of EEZ 2025 are the next logical step: to bring legal clarity, digital transparency and community participation into one single national framework.
Inclusive Growth and Social Impact
The reform is designed as a social transformation movement rather than a purely economic initiative. A rise in the income potential, credit access and global market linkages of the fisher families would no doubt lead to improvements in standards of living, education and health.
The program is thus in tune with the “Sashakt Nari, Sashakt Parivar” vision of the government in strengthening both households and the national economy by empowering women through cooperative participation in fish processing, seaweed farming and value addition.
This new framework focuses on convergence of economic growth, ecological balance and technological innovation. By 2030, India aims to double marine fish production and its contribution to GDP while reducing the ecological footprint from fishing. According to experts at NIFPHATT and CMFR, the EEZ Rules along with the PMMSY, would create nearly 1 million new jobs and also result in more than 25% export growth in five years.
A strong traceability system, eco-labelling and sanitary compliance will ensure Indian seafood is well received in premium markets and enhance the country’s prestige as a responsible marine power. The notification of the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025, is not a regulatory act but a strategic blueprint for the future course of India’s maritime economy. It blends traditional wisdom with modern science, local empowerment with global standards and digital governance with environmental stewardship. India is thus well on course toward a truly Aatmanirbhar Blue Economy. It is clear that the Indian Ocean-from being a frontier of untapped potential-is indeed emerging as a sphere of opportunity wherein prosperity will sail with sustainability.
Comments