What Happened
- Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, launched the Access Pass for Fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on February 20, 2026 at KCC Ground, Veraval, Gujarat.
- The Access Pass is a digital permit system mandatory for approximately 64,000 mechanised fishing vessels and large motorised vessels (above 24 metres) operating in India's EEZ.
- The Government notified the Rules for "Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 2025" on November 4, 2025 to provide the legal framework for this system.
- During the launch, 37 fishermen representing 24 fisheries cooperative societies from all coastal States and Union Territories of India received the first Access Passes.
- India's EEZ extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles from the coastline — a zone that remains significantly under-utilised despite high potential for tuna and other high-value oceanic species.
Static Topic Bridges
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — UNCLOS and India's Maritime Rights
The concept of the Exclusive Economic Zone is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), adopted in 1982 and entered into force on November 16, 1994. Under UNCLOS Part V (Articles 55–75), a coastal state has sovereign rights — not full sovereignty — over the EEZ extending 200 nautical miles from its baselines. These rights include the exclusive right to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage living and non-living natural resources in the water column and seabed. India ratified UNCLOS on June 29, 1995.
- UNCLOS adopted: 1982 (UNCLOS III, Montego Bay, Jamaica); entered into force: November 16, 1994
- EEZ extent: 0–12 NM = Territorial Sea (full sovereignty); 12–24 NM = Contiguous Zone; 12–200 NM = EEZ (sovereign rights); 200+ NM = High Seas
- India's EEZ area: approximately 2.37 million sq km (one of the world's larger EEZs)
- India's coastline: approximately 7,517 km (mainland); total including islands (A&N and Lakshadweep): approximately 11,099 km
- India ratified UNCLOS: June 29, 1995
- Key distinction: In the EEZ, the coastal state has sovereign rights (for resources) but not full sovereignty — foreign vessels retain rights of navigation, overflight, and submarine cable-laying under UNCLOS
Connection to this news: India's Access Pass system operationalises its sovereign rights under UNCLOS by establishing a formal, digitally-governed permission system for fishing within its EEZ — transitioning from largely informal practices to a regulated framework.
Blue Economy — India's Policy Framework
The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health. For India, the Blue Economy is a key pillar of maritime strategy, given India's 7,517 km coastline, 2.37 million sq km EEZ, and status as the world's third-largest fish-producing nation. India's Blue Economy vision encompasses fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, ports, offshore energy, seabed mining, desalination, and marine biotechnology.
- India: Third-largest fish producer globally; second-largest aquaculture producer
- Annual fish production: approximately 14 million metric tonnes (2022-23)
- Marine fisheries: approximately 4.6 million metric tonnes; inland fisheries: approximately 9.4 million metric tonnes
- EEZ utilisation gap: Most Indian fishing activity confined to 40–50 nautical miles from the coast; the 50–200 NM zone (rich in tuna, swordfish, squid) remains largely untapped
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Flagship fisheries scheme launched September 2020; Rs 20,050 crore investment over FY2020-21 to FY2024-25; aims to double fisher income; reduce post-harvest losses from 20-25% to 10%; generate 55 lakh new jobs
- PMMSY funding: 60:40 (Centre:State for general states); 90:10 (for NE and Himalayan states); 100% Central for UTs
Connection to this news: The EEZ Access Pass operationalises a critical gap in India's fisheries governance — extending the effective reach of the Blue Economy from the nearshore zone to the full extent of India's sovereign maritime rights.
India's Deep-Sea Fishing Potential and Tuna Fisheries
India's EEZ holds significant potential for oceanic, high-value species — particularly tunas (Yellowfin, Skipjack, Bigeye) and tuna-like species — which inhabit the outer EEZ layers. Currently, most Indian fishing vessels lack the technology, capital, and regulatory framework to operate beyond 50 nautical miles. International scientific assessments indicate substantial, sustainably harvestable stocks in India's EEZ that are currently being exploited by vessels from other countries under access agreements (when they were historically permitted).
- Deep-sea species of commercial value: Yellowfin tuna, Skipjack tuna, Bigeye tuna, Swordfish, Mahi-mahi (in India's EEZ)
- Vessels covered by Access Pass: ~64,000 mechanised fishing vessels and large motorised vessels above 24 metres
- Regulatory framework: "Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025" notified November 4, 2025 (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying)
- Deep-sea fishing fleet constraints: Most Indian trawlers are small (below 20 metres) and lack refrigeration for extended voyages; deep-sea fishing requires larger vessels with refrigerated sea water (RSW) systems
- Fisheries export target: India aims to increase fish exports to $12 billion by 2030 (from approximately $7.7 billion in 2022-23)
Connection to this news: The Access Pass addresses a key governance gap — without a formal digital permit system, fishing activity in the outer EEZ was difficult to monitor, enforce, or incentivize. The pass creates the administrative foundation for expanding deep-sea fishing infrastructure.
Key Facts & Data
- India's EEZ: ~24 lakh sq km (2.37 million sq km); extends 12–200 nautical miles from coastline
- India's coastline (total): ~11,099 km (mainland ~7,517 km + islands)
- Access Pass mandatory for: ~64,000 mechanised fishing vessels and large motorised vessels (>24 m)
- Current fishing range of most Indian vessels: 40–50 nautical miles from shore
- EEZ Rules notified: "Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025" — November 4, 2025
- India: Third-largest fish producer globally; second-largest in aquaculture
- PMMSY: Rs 20,050 crore investment (FY2020-21 to FY2024-25); target — 55 lakh new jobs, double fisher income
- UNCLOS: Adopted 1982; India ratified June 29, 1995
- Launch location: KCC Ground, Veraval, Gujarat (February 20, 2026)
- First passes distributed: 37 fishermen from 24 cooperative societies across all coastal States/UTs