Catch limits for fishing

**Executive Summary** This document, released on February 11, 2026, by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, discusses catch limits for fishing in India. It highlights the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)'s recommendations on minimum legal sizes for commercially important fish species, the measures taken by states to prevent juvenile fishing, and the implementation of a uniform 61-day annual fishing ban. The information was provided by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Minimum Legal Size Regulations:** * CMFRI has recommended minimum legal sizes for commercially important species, including pomfret. * States/UTs are advised to implement measures to prevent juvenile fishing through mesh-size regulations and minimum legal sizes under their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs). * Kerala and Maharashtra have already notified minimum legal sizes for fishes, including pomfrets. * **Stock Assessment and Health:** * ICAR-CMFRI conducts periodic stock assessments of marine fisheries resources. * The 2022 Marine Fish Stock Status (MFSS) Report indicates that about 91.1% of India's Marine Fish Stocks are in a healthy condition. * **Fishing Restrictions and Conservation Efforts:** * MFRAs reserve specific zones exclusively for traditional, non-mechanized, or small-scale motorized boats. * Some states have prohibited mechanized fishing vessels from operating in these zones. * Maharashtra has declared Silver Pomfret as the 'State Fish' to focus conservation efforts. * Minimum Legal Size (MLS) regulations (e.g., 135-140 mm for Silver Pomfret) have been notified to prevent the catching of juveniles in breeding grounds. * The Government of India has prohibited destructive fishing methods such as Bull/Pair Trawling and the use of LED lights for fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and has issued advisories to the States to implement such measures in the territorial waters. * **Fishing Ban and Support:** * A uniform 61-day annual fishing ban is in operation on both the east and west coasts of India. * Assistance is provided under PMMSY to socio-economically backward and active traditional fisher families during the annual fishing ban/lean period. * ₹3,000 per beneficiary per year is provided by the Government, with a beneficiary contribution of ₹1,500, and the accumulated amount of ₹4,500 is released during the three-month ban period. * State Governments have deployed Artificial Reefs with funding support under the PMMSY to enhance fishery resources. **Impact Analysis** **Impact on State Governments** * **Impact:** State governments are responsible for implementing and enforcing the regulations outlined in the MFRAs, including minimum legal sizes, restricted fishing zones, and prohibitions on destructive fishing methods. * **Action Required:** States need to issue advisories and ensure compliance with the minimum legal size regulations for various fish species within their territorial waters. They must also enforce the ban on destructive fishing practices and ensure the protection of traditional fishing zones. **Impact on Fishermen** * **Impact:** Fishermen are impacted by the fishing ban and the regulations on fishing methods. The ban affects their income during the lean period, while the regulations restrict the types of equipment they can use and the areas where they can fish. However, the government provides financial assistance to socio-economically backward and active traditional fisher families during the ban. * **Action Required:** Fishermen need to adhere to the fishing ban during the specified period and comply with regulations on fishing methods and designated fishing zones. They can also apply for financial assistance under PMMSY during the ban period.

Key Entities Referenced