Centre notifies Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone
The Government of India notified the Rules for 'Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)' on 4 November 2025, giving fishermen cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations priority for deep-sea fishing.
Summary
The EEZ fisheries Rules notified on 4 November 2025 fulfil a Budget 2025â26 announcement for a framework for sustainable fishing in India's EEZ and the high seas, with special focus on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands, which together account for 49% of India's EEZ area. They introduce the mother-and-child vessel concept with mid-sea transshipment under RBI-regulated monitoring, ban LED light fishing, pair trawling and bull trawling, and require an Access Pass, issued free through the online ReALCraft portal, for mechanised and large motorised vessels; traditional and small-scale fishers are exempt. Foreign fishing vessels cannot get an Access Pass under any arrangement.
Key facts
- Notified
- 4 Nov 2025
- Fulfils
- Budget 2025â26 announcement
- Priority
- Fishermen cooperatives and FFPOs
- New concept
- Mother-and-child vessels; mid-sea transshipment
- Banned
- LED light fishing, pair trawling, bull trawling
- Access Pass
- Free via ReALCraft; small-scale fishers exempt; no foreign vessels
- A&N + Lakshadweep
- 49% of India's EEZ area
Practice MCQs 4 questions
The Rules for 'Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone', notified on 4 November 2025, fulfil an announcement made in which Union Budget?
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Correct answer: C â 2025â26
The Rules fulfil the Budget 2025â26 announcement of an enabling framework for sustainable fisheries from the Indian EEZ and high seas.
According to the Fisheries Ministry (November 2025), the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep together account for what share of India's EEZ area?
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Correct answer: D â 49%
The ministry said the island regions of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep together account for 49% of India's EEZ area.
Consider the following statements about the EEZ fisheries Rules notified in November 2025: 1. Mechanised and large motorised vessels need an Access Pass, available free of cost through the ReALCraft portal. 2. Foreign fishing vessels can obtain an Access Pass through joint-venture arrangements with Indian firms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
The Access Pass is free through ReALCraft for mechanised and large motorised vessels, but foreign fishing vessels are not allowed an Access Pass under any arrangement.
Which vessel concept, allowing mid-sea transshipment, is introduced by the EEZ fisheries Rules of November 2025?
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Correct answer: B â Mother-and-child vessels
The Rules introduce the mother-and-child vessel concept, allowing mid-sea transshipment under RBI-regulated monitoring.