What Happened
- Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying) launched the Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) at Veraval, Gujarat on February 20, 2026
- The Access Pass provides a legal, transparent, and sustainable system for entry into the EEZ, allowing fishers to access high-value deep-sea species such as tuna
- The initiative empowers traditional fishers, cooperatives, Self Help Groups, and Fishermen Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs)
- The framework is based on the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025, notified on November 4, 2025
- Veraval, a major fisheries processing and export hub in Gujarat, was strategically chosen as the launch venue
Static Topic Bridges
India's Maritime Zones Under UNCLOS
India's maritime jurisdiction is governed by the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, enacted in conformity with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982). India ratified UNCLOS in June 1997. The Act defines India's maritime zones extending outward from the baseline: Territorial Sea (up to 12 nautical miles), Contiguous Zone (up to 24 nautical miles), Exclusive Economic Zone (up to 200 nautical miles), and Continental Shelf (up to 350 nautical miles in certain geological conditions).
- UNCLOS adopted in 1982 at Montego Bay, Jamaica; entered into force November 16, 1994; India ratified June 29, 1995
- EEZ (Articles 55-75 of UNCLOS): Coastal state has sovereign rights for exploration, exploitation, conservation, and management of natural resources — both living and non-living
- India's EEZ area: approximately 2.37 million sq km (18th largest globally)
- The Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981 prohibits foreign fishing vessels from operating in India's EEZ without a licence
- India's coastline: approximately 7,517 km (5,422 km mainland + 2,095 km islands)
Connection to this news: The Access Pass framework operationalises India's sovereign rights over living resources in the EEZ under UNCLOS, creating a formal permit system for domestic fishers to legally access the 200 nautical mile zone that was previously underutilised.
Deep-Sea Fishing Policy and Blue Economy
India's fishing sector is predominantly nearshore, with most traditional fishers operating within 12 nautical miles (territorial waters). The vast EEZ between 12 and 200 nautical miles remains significantly underexploited, particularly for high-value pelagic species like tuna, swordfish, and sharks. The transition from nearshore to deep-sea fishing is a key component of India's Blue Economy policy. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), launched in 2020 with Rs 20,050 crore over five years, includes provisions for deep-sea fishing vessel subsidies and infrastructure development.
- PMMSY (2020): Rs 20,050 crore scheme; targets fish production of 220 lakh tonnes by 2024-25
- India is the 3rd largest fish producing country globally and 2nd in aquaculture
- Marine fish production: approximately 4.1 million tonnes annually
- Deep-sea fishing potential estimated at 2.2 million tonnes in the EEZ, significantly underexploited
- Fisheries sector contributes about 1.24% of India's GDP and 7.28% of agricultural GDP
- 28 million people dependent on fisheries for livelihood
Connection to this news: The EEZ Access Pass directly enables the shift from nearshore to deep-sea fishing by providing legal frameworks, traceability, and certification that meet international standards — critical for export markets.
Fishermen Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and Cooperative Fishing
The EEZ Access Pass framework specifically targets cooperatives, Self Help Groups, and Fishermen Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs). FFPOs are modelled on the FPO concept under the Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs (launched February 2020, Rs 6,865 crore). FFPOs aggregate small fishers to achieve economies of scale in procurement, cold chain, processing, and marketing, enabling them to access deep-sea resources that require capital-intensive vessels and equipment.
- FPO scheme: Launched February 29, 2020; Rs 6,865 crore; 10,000 FPOs target achieved
- Financial assistance: Up to Rs 18 lakh per FPO for 3 years + matching equity grant up to Rs 15 lakh per FPO
- Credit guarantee: Up to Rs 2 crore project loan per FPO
- Implementation: SFAC (Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium), NABARD, NCDC
- Fisheries cooperatives and FFPOs are key institutional mechanisms for aggregating small fishers
Connection to this news: By naming FFPOs and cooperatives as target beneficiaries, the Access Pass framework ensures that the benefits of EEZ fishing reach small and traditional fishers rather than only large commercial operators.
Key Facts & Data
- India's EEZ: ~2.37 million sq km, 18th largest globally
- Coastline: ~7,517 km (mainland 5,422 km + islands 2,095 km)
- Deep-sea fishing potential in EEZ: estimated 2.2 million tonnes (largely underexploited)
- Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules notified: November 4, 2025
- Legal basis: Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976
- India ratified UNCLOS: June 1995
- Fisheries contribution: ~1.24% of GDP, ~7.28% of agricultural GDP
- PMMSY: Rs 20,050 crore (2020); target 220 lakh tonnes fish production
- India is 3rd largest fish producing country and 2nd largest in aquaculture