Access Pass for EEZ Fishing: Expanding India’s Blue Economy

In a significant step towards deep-sea fisheries reform, the Union Government has launched the Access Pass system for fishing in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Unveiled at Veraval in Gujarat, the initiative operationalises the “Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025” and marks a shift toward regulated, transparent and fisher-centric offshore governance. With India’s EEZ spanning nearly 24 lakh square kilometres, the reform seeks to unlock under-utilised marine potential while ensuring sustainability and national security.

Understanding India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

4

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a coastal nation has sovereign rights for exploration and resource use up to 200 nautical miles from its baseline — known as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

India’s EEZ:

• Extends over ~24 lakh sq km.
• Remains under-utilised beyond 40–50 nautical miles.
• Holds high-value oceanic species such as tuna and tuna-like varieties.

Despite this potential, most Indian fishing vessels operate close to the coast, leading to pressure on near-shore resources while offshore areas remain largely untapped.

What Is the EEZ Access Pass System?

The Access Pass is a digital authorisation mechanism for Indian fishing vessels to operate in offshore waters within the EEZ. It is issued through a transparent online platform (RealCraft portal) and aims to:

• Regulate and monitor offshore fishing activity.
• Ensure compliance with sustainability norms.
• Prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Prohibit entry of foreign fishing vessels into Indian EEZ.

The framework was developed after consultations with fisheries cooperatives, State governments and scientific institutions, indicating a participatory governance approach.

Safety, Technology and Cooperative Strengthening

The initiative integrates technology and welfare measures:

• Distribution of GPS devices and high-beam torches.
• Provision of life jackets and safety kits.
• Transponders for real-time vessel tracking.
• Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories to improve catch efficiency.

The government has also emphasised strengthening fisheries cooperatives through collaboration with the Ministry of Cooperation. Newly formed cooperatives received financial grants, reflecting a collective model for offshore expansion.

Link to PMMSY and Harbour Infrastructure

The reform complements broader schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which focuses on infrastructure modernisation, cold chain expansion and harbour development.

Veraval’s designation as a Fishing Harbour Cluster and the development of smart harbours such as Jakhau highlight efforts to create economies of scale and enhance export competitiveness.

Economic and Strategic Significance

The Access Pass system aligns with multiple policy objectives:

• Blue Economy Expansion: Sustainable utilisation of marine resources.
• Income Enhancement: Higher earnings through deep-sea species like tuna.
• Export Growth: Marine exports as a foreign exchange earner.
• Maritime Security: Clear demarcation and prohibition of foreign vessels.

The 2026 Budget announcement making fish catch from EEZ/high seas duty-free further incentivises offshore operations.

Sustainability and Governance Concerns

While the initiative opens new economic avenues, it also requires:

• Strict adherence to scientific stock assessments.
• Prevention of overfishing and ecological degradation.
• Effective monitoring and surveillance mechanisms.
• Capacity-building for small-scale fishers.

Sustainable harvesting remains essential to avoid repeating coastal over-exploitation patterns in offshore waters.

What to Note for Prelims?

• EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles under UNCLOS.
• India’s EEZ area: ~24 lakh sq km.
• Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in EEZ Rules, 2025.
• PMMSY – flagship fisheries development scheme.
• PFZ advisories – satellite-based fish forecasting tool.

What to Note for Mains?

1. Discuss the economic potential of India’s Blue Economy.
2. Examine challenges in regulating offshore fisheries.
3. Analyse the role of cooperatives in marine resource management.
4. Evaluate the balance between fisheries expansion and ecological sustainability.
5. Assess how digital governance tools can strengthen maritime resource management.

The launch of the EEZ Access Pass marks a structural shift in India’s marine governance framework — moving from near-shore dependency toward organised, technology-enabled offshore expansion. Its long-term success will depend on ensuring that growth in deep-sea fisheries remains sustainable, inclusive and strategically secure.