Centre launches free online Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone at Veraval
Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for all 13 coastal states and UTs at Veraval, Gujarat, on 20 February 2026.
Summary
Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for all 13 coastal states and UTs at Veraval, Gujarat, on 20 February 2026, handing passes to 37 fishermen from 24 fisheries cooperative societies. The pass is issued free of cost through the online ReALCRaft portal to help fisheries cooperatives and fish farmer producer organisations sustainably harvest high-value oceanic species such as tuna. Most Indian fishing now stays within 40–50 nautical miles, while the EEZ extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles. Static link: the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025 were notified on 4 November 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976. India's EEZ is about 24 lakh sq km; the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep account for 49% of it.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 20 February 2026, Veraval, Gujarat
- Launched by
- Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh
- Coverage
- All 13 coastal states and UTs
- Portal
- ReALCRaft, free of cost
- Rules
- EEZ Fisheries Rules, 2025 (notified 4 November 2025)
- Parent Act
- Maritime Zones Act, 1976
- EEZ
- About 24 lakh sq km; A&N and Lakshadweep 49%
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where was the Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone launched on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Veraval, Gujarat
Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the EEZ Access Pass at KCC Ground, Veraval, Gujarat.
Through which online portal is the EEZ fishing Access Pass issued free of cost?
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Correct answer: B — ReALCRaft
Access Passes are issued free via the ReALCRaft online portal.
Consider the following statements about fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 1. The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified under the Maritime Zones Act of 1976. 2. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep together account for about 49% of India's EEZ. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Rules were notified on 4 November 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, and A&N plus Lakshadweep make up 49% of India's EEZ.