Veraval in Gujarat is set to host the launch of the Access Pass Framework for fishing in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on February 20. This framework is a crucial step in implementing the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, responsible for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, will unveil the framework.
The Access Pass will establish a legal and transparent system for authorizing fishing activities in India’s EEZ, aiming to extend operations into deeper waters in a regulated manner. India, with an 11,099-kilometer coastline and a 24 lakh square kilometer EEZ, currently sees most fishing activities limited to within 40 to 50 nautical miles from the coast.
The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025, introduced under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone, and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, outlines the legal and institutional structure for the responsible expansion of fishing into the EEZ. The Access Pass Framework is designed to enable traditional and small-scale fishers, cooperatives, Self Help Groups, and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations to access valuable marine resources in offshore waters.
Expected outcomes of this framework include the harvesting of deep-sea species like tuna, while enhancing monitoring, compliance, traceability, and safety standards in alignment with international regulations. The initiative is anticipated to bolster livelihoods throughout the fisheries value chain and improve India’s competitiveness in seafood exports.
Veraval, known for its significant fisheries processing and export activities, has been selected as the launch site for this initiative. The government’s plan involves establishing 34 fisheries production and processing clusters nationwide, with Veraval playing a pivotal role in enhancing value addition, modern processing infrastructure, and exports.
The EEZ, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982, extends up to 200 nautical miles from a nation’s coastline, granting sovereign rights for the exploration, conservation, and utilization of marine resources such as fisheries, energy, and minerals. India’s expansive EEZ is crucial for sustainable fisheries expansion, food security enhancement, and increased export revenues.
