The Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: ET
Context: The Union Government has notified the Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), aimed at empowering fishermen cooperatives and ensuring sustainable, technology-driven deep-sea fishing operations.
About the Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ:
What it is?
• A comprehensive regulatory framework for sustainable and inclusive deep-sea fishing within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), promoting responsible resource utilisation, digital transparency, and community-led governance in line with India’s Blue Economy vision.
Ministry: Formulated and implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India.
Aim: To unlock the untapped potential of India’s vast EEZ, strengthen the livelihoods of small-scale fishers, enhance seafood exports, and ensure ecological sustainability through traceability, value addition, and responsible fishing practices.
Key Features:
• Empowering Cooperatives: Gives priority to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for managing modern vessels and deep-sea operations.
• Mother-and-Child Vessel Concept: Introduces mid-sea transshipment under RBI monitoring, particularly benefiting Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, which account for 49% of India’s EEZ.
• Digital Access Pass System: Mechanized vessels must obtain a free Access Pass via the ReALCRaft portal, ensuring transparent, paperless operations; traditional crafts are exempt.
• Integration and Traceability: ReALCRaft linked with MPEDA and Export Inspection Council for catch and health certification, enabling eco-labelling and traceable seafood exports.
• Capacity Building: Training, international exposure visits, and access to affordable credit via PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and FIDF to strengthen fishers’ skills and market access.
• Ban on Harmful Practices: Prohibits LED fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling; sets minimum legal fish size and develops Fisheries Management Plans for biodiversity conservation.
• Mariculture Promotion: Encourages sea-cage farming and seaweed cultivation to reduce nearshore fishing pressure and diversify livelihoods.
• Safety and Coastal Security: Mandates transponders, Aadhaar/QR-coded Fisher ID cards, and integration with NABHMITRA navigation app for real-time monitoring and safety.
• National Action on IUU Fishing: Framework to deter Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing within Indian waters.
• Regulatory Reforms: Recognises EEZ-origin fish as Indian-origin resources under customs and revenue norms, ensuring national accounting of exports.