Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying on 12th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Department of Fisheries has introduced a free digital Access Pass for fishing in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), governed by the 2025 EEZ Rules. The initiative aims to empower traditional fishers and cooperatives while ensuring sustainable resource management through technological integration and duty-free export benefits. As of August 5, 2026, a total of 9,650 passes have been issued to facilitate deep-sea fishing and enhance livelihoods.
Key Points / Main Content
Regulatory Framework and Eligibility
Legal Basis: Passes are issued under the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025, notified on November 4, 2025.
Scope: Required for fishing operations between 12 to 200 nautical miles.
Mandatory Requirements: Mechanized fishing vessels and motorized boats exceeding 24 meters in length must hold an Access Pass.
Exemptions: Traditional non-motorized and small artisanal crafts are fully exempted to protect local livelihoods.
Economic Incentives and Export Facilitation
Duty-Free Status: Per the Union Budget 2026–27 and amendments to the Customs Act, 1962, fish caught in the EEZ or High Seas is duty-free.
Export Treatment: Landings at foreign ports are treated as exports; seamless catch and health certificates are provided via linkage with MPEDA and the Export Inspection Council (EIC).
Traceability: Integration with digital portals ensures traceability and supports eco-labelling for international markets.
Technological and Safety Integration
Digital Platform: Passes are issued through the ReALCRaft Portal.
Real-time Advisories: The system is linked to the Nabhmitra mobile application, providing data on Potential-Fishing-Zones (PFZ) and weather forecasts.
Safety Measures: Onboard satellite-based transponders provide alerts for the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), cyclones, and emergency communications.
Institutional Support and Funding
Collaboration: A Joint Working Group (JWG) between the Department of Fisheries and Ministry of Cooperation promotes small-scale fishers in deep-sea operations.
Financial Assistance: The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), under schemes like PMMSY and FIDF, supports the acquisition of Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, and Puducherry.
Impact Analysis
Traditional Fishers, Cooperatives, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs)Impact
They gain legal access to untapped deep-sea resources and new income streams through processing and duty-free exports.
Action Required
Eligible entities must apply for the free digital Access Pass through the ReALCRaft Portal via their respective coastal State or Union Territory.
Operators of Mechanized and Large Motorized Vessels (>24 Meters)Impact
These operators are now regulated under the 2025 EEZ Rules and must comply with digital tracking and certification standards.
Action Required
Secure an Access Pass for operations beyond 12 nautical miles and ensure vessels are equipped with satellite-based transponders for safety and monitoring.
Small-scale Artisanal and Non-motorized FishersImpact
Livelihoods are protected through specific exemptions from the new regulatory requirements.
Action Required
No action required; they remain exempt from the Access Pass mandate.
Coastal State and Union Territory AdministrationsImpact
Responsible for the intake and processing of applications; Karnataka (2,563) and Gujarat (2,524) currently lead in implementation.
Action Required
Continue to facilitate the application process and manage the distribution of passes through the ReALCRaft framework.
Key Entities Referenced
Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025: The primary regulatory framework notified by the Government of India under which Access Passes for fishing in the EEZ are issued.
Access Pass for fishing in India's EEZ: A free digital pass required for mechanized and large motorized fishing vessels to operate in India's Exclusive Economic Zone beyond 12 nautical miles.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship government scheme providing financial support for the acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels to empower fishers and cooperatives.
Customs Act, 1962: The legislation amended to ensure that fish caught by Indian vessels in the EEZ or high seas is duty-free and treated as exports when landed at foreign ports.
ReALCRaft Portal: The digital platform used for the issuance of Access Passes, integrated with maritime safety systems and export authorities to ensure traceability.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
ACCESS PASS FOR FISHING IN INDIA'S EEZ
प्रव तथ: 12 AUG 2026 1:30PM by PIB Delhi
The Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is a free digital pass issued via the
ReALCRaft Portal. Its core objective is to empower the traditional fishers, cooperatives, and Fish Farmer
Producer Organizations (FFPOs) for fishing in the EEZ (12 to 200 nautical miles), while ensuring
sustainability of oceanic fishery resources. The Access Pass is issued under the Sustainable Harnessing of
Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025 notified by the Government of India on 04
November 2025. The Access Pass is required for mechanized fishing vessels and large motorized boats
over 24 meters length, while traditional non-motorized and small artisanal crafts are fully exempted to
protect local livelihoods. This landmark initiative aims to empower traditional and small-scale fishermen,
Fisheries Cooperative Societies, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to expand fishing
operations, harness untapped resources through deep-sea fishing, and access new income streams through
processing and exports, thereby enhancing livelihoods. As per the EEZ Rules, the Access Pass is required
for undertaking fishing operations in the EEZ of India, beyond 12 nautical miles. So far, a total of 9,650
Access Passes have been issued based on applications received through coastal States and Union
Territories. The State/UT-wise status of Access Passes issued under the EEZ Rules, 2025 is placed at
Annexure.
To create new export opportunities for Indian fishers operating beyond territorial waters, the Union
Budget 2026–27 announced that fish caught by Indian fishing vessels in the EEZ or the High Seas would
be duty-free, and that landings at foreign ports would be treated as exports of goods, with safeguards to
prevent misuse during transit or transshipment. In pursuance of this announcement, necessary
amendments have been carried out in the Customs Act, 1962 to ensure that the fish caught in the EEZ is
duty-free. The Access Pass issued through ReALCRaft portal, is linked with the Marine Products Export
Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) to provide seamless catch and
health certificates, to ensure traceability and eco-labelling.
Adopting a whole-of-Government approach, the Department of Fisheries, GoI is collaborating with the
Ministry of Cooperation through a Joint Working Group (JWG) to promote small-scale fishermen,
fisheries cooperatives, and FFPOs in deep-sea fishing, post-harvest handling, processing, and exports. The
Ministry of Cooperation supports this initiative by strengthening cooperative institutions and facilitating
access to cooperative credit through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). Under
the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the NCDC has supported for acquisition of
Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Puducherry and Goa. The NCDC has also supported
the acquisition of Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure
Development Fund (FIDF) implemented by DoF, GoI.
The Access Pass framework operates in convergence with the existing digital fisheries and maritime safety
systems. It is integrated with satellite-based transponders installed onboard Fishing Vessels and linked
with the Nabhmitra mobile application to provide real-time advisories of Potential-Fishing-Zone (PFZ),dissemination of weather forecasts, cyclone and tsunami warnings, navigational advisories, International
Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) alerts, emergency communication, and other safety-related information
delivered directly to fishers at sea for enhancing safety and improving fishing efficiency.
ANNEXURE
STATEMENT REGARDING "ACCESS PASS FOR FISHING IN INDIA'S EEZ"
Sr. No. Coastal States/UTs Access Passes issued under EEZ Rules, 2025 (as
on 5th August, 2026)
1. KARNATAKA 2563
2. GUJARAT 2524
3. ANDHRA PRADESH 1952
4. ODISHA 887
5. MAHARASHTRA 627
6. DAMAN & DIU 372
7. LAKSHADWEEP 257
8. KERALA 256
9. GOA 87
10. ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR 52
11. PUDUCHERRY 46
12. WEST BENGAL 21
13. TAMIL NADU 6
Grand Total 9650
This Information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan
Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question asked.
JP
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