**Executive Summary**
This document addresses concerns raised regarding the Ministry of External Affairs' permissions for deep-sea fishing, specifically its potential impact on traditional fishermen in Kerala. It clarifies that the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025, were notified on November 4th, 2025, and aims to empower traditional fishermen and cooperatives. The initiative is a result of extensive stakeholder consultations held between February and September 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **EEZ Rules Notification:**
* The Ministry of External Affairs notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025, on November 4th, 2025.
* The Rules are applicable to the EEZ area beyond territorial waters.
* **Objectives:**
* The rules aim to empower traditional and small-scale fishermen, Fisheries Cooperative Societies, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs).
* The rules intends to expand fishing operations, harness untapped fishery resources in deep-sea areas, and access new income streams through processing and exports.
* **Stakeholder Consultation:**
* The Rules were framed after extensive stakeholder consultations from February to September 2025.
* Stakeholders included Central Government Ministries/Departments, coastal security agencies, coastal States/UTs, research institutes, fishermen associations, cooperatives, and the general public.
* **Implementation and Support:**
* The Department of Fisheries is collaborating with the Ministry of Cooperation through a Joint Working Group (JWG) to promote small-scale fishermen, cooperatives, and FFPOs.
* The Ministry of Cooperation supports this by strengthening cooperative institutions and facilitating access to cooperative credit through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
* Example: In Maharashtra, 14 deep-sea fishing vessels (DSFVs) have been supported by the NCDC.
* Two societies of fishermen of Mumbai city have recently received 02 DSFVs under PMMSY on 27.10.2025.
* **Addressing Apprehensions:**
* The Fishery Survey of India and the National Fisheries Development Board, along with the Department of Fisheries of the concerned coastal States/UTs, are sensitizing fishers about the provisions of the EEZ Rules.
**Impact Analysis**
**Traditional Fishermen in Kerala**
* **Impact**
* The document seeks to address concerns about deep-sea fishing potentially monopolizing coastal fishing and negatively affecting their livelihoods.
* The EEZ Rules 2025 aim to empower traditional and small-scale fishermen and cooperatives
* **Action Required**
* Engage with sensitization efforts by the Fishery Survey of India, the National Fisheries Development Board, and the Department of Fisheries to understand the provisions of the EEZ Rules and dispel any misinformation.
**Fisheries Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs)**
* **Impact**
* The document targets these organizations, aiming to empower them through the EEZ Rules, 2025.
* **Action Required**
* Understand and leverage the provisions within the EEZ Rules to expand fishing operations, access new income streams, and harness untapped resources in deep-sea areas.
**Coastal States/UTs**
* **Impact**
* The Department of Fisheries of the concerned coastal States/UTs, are sensitizing fishers about the provisions of the EEZ Rules
* **Action Required**
* Provide support and resources to facilitate the implementation of the EEZ Rules and to ensure that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The primary ministry responsible for fisheries policy.
Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025: The specific rule being addressed in the parliamentary question regarding deep sea fishing.
Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976: The overarching act under which the 2025 Rules are notified.
Kerala: The Indian state where traditional fishermen have expressed concerns about deep sea fishing permissions.
Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs): Entities aimed to be empowered through fishing policies.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1433
TO BE ANSWERED ON 9TH DECEMBER, 2025
Impact of Deep Sea Fishing Vessels on Traditional Fishermen
1433. Shri Hibi Eden:
Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the recent permission granted by the Ministry
of External Affairs allowing vessels to fish in deep sea and coastal waters has caused
serious concern among traditional fishermen in Kerala, if so, the details thereof and if
not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensures that only genuine
fishermen cooperatives and not large private companies or individuals, benefit from the
permission granted for fishing activities in these waters and if so, the details thereof and
if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) whether the Government will review or withdraw the said permission in view of the
widespread apprehension that it will lead to monopolisation of coastal fishing and
adversely affect the livelihood of traditional fishermen, if so, the details thereof and if
not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)
(a) to (c): The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, on 04th November, 2025,
has notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ) Rules, 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic
Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976. These rules are applicable to the EEZ area
beyond the territorial waters. This landmark initiative aims to empower traditional and
small-scale fishermen, Fisheries Cooperative Societies, and Fish Farmer Producer
Organizations (FFPOs) to expand their fishing operations, harness untapped fishery
resources in the deep-sea areas, and access new income streams through processing
and exports, thereby enhancing livelihoods.
The Rules are framed after extensive stakeholder consultations. The Department of
Fisheries, Government of India, has conducted a series of meetings from February to
September 2025 with various stakeholders, including the relevant Central Government
Ministries/Departments, coastal security agencies, coastal States/UTs, research
institutes, fishermen associations, cooperatives, etc. Besides, draft Rules was also
placed in the public domain for a period of one month, inviting suggestions and
comments from the general public and stakeholders. The period of public consultation
was even extended by another 15 days, as requested by some States/UTs and other
stakeholders. The Draft Rules were subsequently updated based on the relevant inputs
received through stakeholder consultations. Further, the Fishery Survey of India and
the National Fisheries Development Board, along with the Department of Fisheries of
the concerned coastal States/UTs, are sensitizing fishers about the provisions of the
EEZ Rules to dispel any apprehensions or misinformation.The Department of Fisheries (DoF, GoI), by adopting the “whole of Government
approach”, is collaborating with the Ministry of Cooperation through a Joint Working
Group (JWG), to promote small-scale fishermen, fishers’ cooperatives, and Fish Farmer
Producer Organizations (FFPOs) in the areas of 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). As an example,
in Maharashtra, 14 deep-sea fishing vessels (DSFVs) have been supported by the
NCDC, with a total project cost of ₹20.30 crore, including NCDC loan assistance of
₹11.55 crore, PMMSY assistance of ₹6.72 crore, and society contribution of ₹2.03 crore.
Adopting this model, two societies of fishermen of Mumbai city have recently received
02 DSFVs under PMMSY on 27.10.2025. This initiative exemplifies cooperative-led
development in the fisheries sector, empowering our fishermen to venture into deeper
waters and harness untapped resources in a sustainable, economically rewarding
manner. The mechanism further strengthens Government efforts to provide credit
support, modern technology, training, and insurance to enable small-scale fishermen
and their cooperatives to acquire and operate modern DSFVs effectively.
*****