**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to a parliamentary question regarding the implementation of a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to curb prohibited fishing practices. The Department of Fisheries has approved the "National Rollout Plan for Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS)". The VCSS project aims to cover one lakh vessels and pan-India coverage. The question was to be answered on February 10th, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS):**
* The Department of Fisheries has approved the "National Rollout Plan for Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS)" under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
* The project involves installing indigenously developed transponders on one lakh marine fishing vessels (mechanized and motorized) across 13 coastal states and UTs.
* The project has an outlay of Rs. 364 Crores and is being implemented with technical support from ISRO.
* VCSS is a satellite-based two-way communication system that provides sea-safety and security to fishers, alerts during adverse weather, information on 'No Fishing Zones,' and the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). It is integrated with the Nabhmitra App.
* More than 49,000 transponders have already been installed in the coastal States/UTs.
* **Prohibited Fishing Practices:**
* The Government of India has prohibited harmful fishing methods such as bull trawling, pair trawling, and the use of artificial/LED lights for fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
* Purse seine fishing is prohibited by some coastal states/UTs in their territorial waters but allowed by others. It is not prohibited in the EEZ beyond territorial waters, as per the Expert Committee recommendations.
* **Enforcement of Fishing Regulations:**
* Enforcement is primarily undertaken by State/UT Governments under the Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRAs).
* Maritime States/UTs have been advised to take necessary steps including harbor-based monitoring, issuing Government Orders, monitoring by patrol vessels and drones, and taking punitive actions against violators.
* No joint patrolling is conducted by State Fisheries Departments & Coast Guard. Coast Guard ships monitor and report prohibited fishing activities to State Fisheries Authorities.
* Action against illegal activities includes seizure of boats/gears, penalties, or prosecution by competent State authorities under MFRAs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Fishers**
* **Impact:** Enhanced safety and security at sea through the VCSS communication system, including alerts about weather conditions and fishing zones. Impacted by regulations regarding prohibited fishing practices and the use of certain fishing methods.
* **Action Required:** Comply with regulations under MFRAs.
**Stakeholder: State/UT Governments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the enforcement of fishing regulations within their jurisdiction.
* **Action Required:** Implement harbor-based monitoring, issue Government Orders to prevent harmful fishing, conduct patrols, and take punitive actions against violators.
**Stakeholder: Department of Fisheries (Government of India)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing the VCSS project and setting overall policy.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing the VCSS project, monitor progress, and ensure effective enforcement of regulations.
**Stakeholder: Coast Guard**
* **Impact:** Involved in monitoring fishing activities.
* **Action Required:** Monitor fishing activities during routine patrols and report any prohibited fishing activities to the State Fisheries Authorities.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A scheme under which the Department of Fisheries approved the VCSS project.
Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS): A project for installation of transponders on marine fishing vessels, aimed at improving sea safety and security.
Department of Fisheries: The department responsible for approving and implementing the VCSS project.
Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRAs): State/UT laws used to enforce fishing regulations.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO): Provides technical support for the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS)
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †1617
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10th FEBRUARY 2026
Vessel Monitoring System
†1617. SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased
to state:
(a) whether any Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) or satellite-based tracking mechanism
has been implemented by the Government to curb prohibited fishing practices such
as purse seine nets and bull trawling;
(b) if so. the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof
(c) the proposals of the Government to implement the said mechanism and the timeline
fixed for its implementation on the ground; and
(d) the number of joint patrolling conducted by the Coast Guard and the Fisheries
Department in the last one year to prevent prohibited fishing practices and the number
of illegal vessels apprehended and fine imposed during such patrols including the
reasons for not taking any action against them and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING:
(SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) The Department of Fisheries, Government of India under the Pradhan Mantri
Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), has approved a project “National Rollout Plan for
Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS)” for installation of indigenously
developed transponders on one lakh marine fishing vessels covering mechanized and
motorized vessels of all 13 coastal states and UTs with an outlay of Rs. 364 Crores. Vessel
Communication and Support System is being implemented with technical support of Indian
Space Research Organization (ISRO). The VCSS in a satellite based two-way
communication system, which helps the fishers out at sea for sea-safety and security,
provides alerts during adverse weather conditions, ‘No Fishing Zones’, International
Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with geo-fencing and integration with the Nabhmitra App.
The VCSS project envisages to cover one lakh vessels and pan-India coverage. Till date,
more than 49,000 transponders have already been installed in the coastal States/UTs under
this project.The Government of India has prohibited the harmful fishing methods such as bull trawling or
pair trawling and use of artificial lights or LED lights for fishing in the Indian Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ). While purse seine fishing is prohibited by some coastal states/UTs
in their territorial waters, this method of fishing is allowed by some other states/UTs in their
territorial waters. As far as, the EEZ beyond territorial waters is concerned, considering the
recommendations of the Expert Committee the purse seine fishing is not prohibited in the
EEZ area beyond the territorial waters.
(d) Enforcement of fishing regulations, including action against prohibited fishing practices
is primarily undertaken by the State/UT Governments under the respective Marine Fisheries
Regulation Acts (MFRAs). All the maritime States/UTs have been advised to take necessary
steps including habour based monitoring of fishing vessels, issuance of necessary
Government Orders to prevent harmful fishing within and beyond the territorial waters,
monitoring by patrol vessels and drones, and to take punitive actions against the violators
as per the provisions of their respective State MFRAs. As such no joint patrolling is
conducted by State Fisheries Departments & Coast Guard. However, the Coast Guard ships
on their routine patrol, monitor and report the prohibited fishing activities undertaken by
fishing boats at sea to the concerned State Fisheries Authorities for taking necessary action.
The action against illegal fishing activities include seizure of fishing boats, gears, imposition
of penalties, or prosecution, is taken by the competent State authorities as per the MFRAs
and other applicable laws.
*****