What Happened
- Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the Access Pass for Fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on February 20, 2026, at Veraval, Gujarat — for all 13 coastal states and Union Territories.
- The government notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025, on November 4, 2025, under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.
- The Access Pass allows Indian fishers to legally operate in deep-sea waters (12 to 200 nautical miles from the coast) through a completely online and free application process.
- Currently, most Indian fishing is confined to 40–50 nautical miles from the coastline; the vast EEZ of ~24 lakh sq km extending up to 200 nautical miles remains significantly under-utilised.
- 37 fishermen representing 24 fisheries cooperative societies from all coastal states received passes at the launch event.
- The move is expected to expand access to high-value marine resources, particularly tuna and deep-sea species, supporting export growth.
Static Topic Bridges
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Legal Framework under UNCLOS
The Exclusive Economic Zone is a maritime zone extending 200 nautical miles from a country's baseline (usually the low-water line along the coast). Within its EEZ, a coastal state has sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing natural resources — including fish, oil, gas, and minerals of the seabed.
The EEZ concept is established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), adopted in 1982 and in force since 1994 — the defining legal framework for all ocean governance globally. India ratified UNCLOS in 1995.
- EEZ extent: 200 nautical miles (1 nautical mile = 1.852 km) from baseline
- India's EEZ area: ~24 lakh sq km (2.4 million sq km) — one of the largest in Asia
- Territorial Waters: 0-12 nautical miles — full sovereignty (including air space, seabed)
- Contiguous Zone: 12-24 nautical miles — jurisdiction for customs, immigration, sanitation
- Continental Shelf: Seabed up to 200 nautical miles (or beyond under CLCS submissions) — resource rights
- High Seas: Beyond 200 nautical miles — freedom of navigation, no sovereign jurisdiction
- UNCLOS administered by: International Seabed Authority (ISA), International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)
Connection to this news: The Access Pass framework is the first structured mechanism for Indian fishing vessels to operate in the EEZ under a regulated, trackable system — directly operationalising India's sovereign rights under UNCLOS within its own maritime zone.
India's Fisheries Sector: Economic and Export Significance
India is the third-largest fish-producing country in the world and the second-largest aquaculture producer globally, contributing ~7% of global fish production. The fisheries sector supports approximately 30 million livelihoods and contributes about INR 1.28 lakh crore to the national economy.
Marine fisheries constitute ~36% of India's total fish production, while inland fisheries and aquaculture account for the balance. India's seafood exports have grown to ~$7.8 billion annually, making it one of the largest seafood exporters globally (predominantly shrimp to the US, EU, Japan, and Southeast Asia).
- India's total fish production: ~24.5 million tonnes (FY24)
- India's EEZ marine fish production: largely from coastal (<50 nautical mile) zone
- Deep-sea potential: Tuna, swordfish, cephalopods — largely untapped in India's EEZ
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): INR 20,050 crore scheme for fisheries development (2020-25)
- PMMSY target: Increase fish production to 22 million tonnes by 2024-25; create 55 lakh additional employment
- National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB): Nodal agency for fisheries development under FAHD Ministry
Connection to this news: The Access Pass directly addresses the underutilisation of India's EEZ — a massive resource that, if sustainably harvested, can significantly boost marine fish production and seafood export earnings, particularly in high-value tuna segments.
Domestic Fisheries Legislation: The 1976 Maritime Zones Act
The Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 is India's foundational domestic legislation codifying maritime zones consistent with international law. It establishes India's sovereign rights over its territorial waters (12 nm), contiguous zone (24 nm), EEZ (200 nm), and continental shelf.
The EEZ Rules, 2025 — notified under this Act — specifically regulate who can fish in the EEZ, under what conditions, and with what documentation (the Access Pass), making the utilisation of EEZ fisheries both legal and transparent.
- Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act: 1976
- Amended: Multiple times to align with UNCLOS provisions after India's 1995 ratification
- Earlier fishing beyond 12 nm: regulated primarily by state Maritime Fisheries Acts (fragmented approach)
- EEZ Rules, 2025: First national-level framework specifically for EEZ fishing; supersedes inconsistent state-level approach
- Online application: Completely free; enables traceability and compliance with international standards (important for exports)
Connection to this news: The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025, fills a decades-long regulatory gap — India had EEZ sovereign rights under the 1976 Act but lacked a practical, enforceable framework for its own citizens to access those resources.
Coastal Governance and Blue Economy
The Blue Economy encompasses all economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coasts — fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, ports, offshore energy, marine tourism, and marine biotechnology. India's draft Blue Economy Policy (2021) envisions sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean health.
India's coastline of approximately 11,099 km spans nine coastal states and four Union Territories, supporting diverse fishing communities who are among the most economically vulnerable coastal populations.
- India's coastline: 11,099 km (including islands: 7,516 km mainland + 3,583 km island)
- 9 coastal states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal
- 4 coastal UTs: Daman & Diu, Dadra & NH, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Blue Economy Policy draft (2021): Identifies 7 priority sectors; marine fisheries is Sector 1
- Deep-sea fishing vessels: India has fewer than 1,000 — very low penetration vs potential
- FAO: Global fishing fleet over-exploits ~34% of fish stocks; sustainable management is critical
Connection to this news: The Access Pass framework introduces traceability and compliance with international catch documentation standards — a prerequisite for India's seafood exports to EU and US markets which require documented proof of legal, sustainable harvesting.
Key Facts & Data
- Launch date: February 20, 2026, at Veraval, Gujarat
- Legal basis: Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 (notified November 4, 2025) under the Maritime Zones Act, 1976
- India's EEZ area: ~24 lakh sq km (2.4 million sq km)
- Current fishing zone: Mainly within 40-50 nautical miles from coast
- EEZ coverage: 12 to 200 nautical miles from baseline
- Access Pass: Free, completely online application
- India's fish production: ~24.5 million tonnes (FY24) — world's 3rd largest
- Seafood exports: ~$7.8 billion annually
- Fisheries sector employment: ~30 million livelihoods
- PMMSY outlay: INR 20,050 crore (2020-25)
- India's coastline: 11,099 km; 13 coastal states and UTs
- UNCLOS: Adopted 1982, in force 1994; India ratified 1995