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
This report outlines the measures taken by the Government of India to protect traditional fishing rights and promote sustainable marine resource management. It details the implementation of the "Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025," the enforcement of reserved fishing zones, and socio-economic support provided under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Key actions include a uniform 61-day annual fishing ban and the development of 100 climate-resilient coastal fishermen villages.
Key Points / Main Content
Spatial Regulation and Enforcement
Reserved Zones: Coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles are governed by State Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs), with near-shore areas (5–10 km) reserved exclusively for artisanal and non-mechanized vessels.
Monitoring Technology: Mechanized and motorized vessels are equipped with satellite-based transponders under PMMSY for real-time tracking, geofencing, and automated alerts to prevent incursions into reserved zones.
Joint Patrolling: State Fisheries Departments and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conduct joint operations to enforce zoning regulations and prevent gear conflicts.
Sustainable Fisheries Management
EEZ Rules 2025: Mandates conservation measures including an ecosystem approach to management, minimum legal sizes for fish capture, and bycatch reduction.
Annual Fishing Ban: A uniform 61-day annual ban is implemented in the EEZ during peak breeding seasons, with coastal states aligning their territorial water bans accordingly.
Prohibited Practices: Strict prohibitions are placed on destructive fishing methods and the capture of juvenile fish.
Infrastructure and Environmental Protections
Impact Assessments: Proponents of Sagarmala projects must prepare Social and Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and implement Management Plans to mitigate negative community impacts.
CRZ Reviews: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) reviews Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notifications based on stakeholder feedback to balance infrastructure development with fishermen's concerns.
Welfare and Livelihood Support
Socio-Economic Aid: PMMSY provides livelihood and nutritional support to backward traditional fisher families during lean periods and fishing bans.
Risk Protection: A Group Accidental Insurance Scheme is provided to active fishers for social security during operations.
Diversification: Support is extended for sea ranching, artificial reefs, and mariculture (e.g., seaweed cultivation and cage culture) to reduce pressure on near-shore waters.
Climate Resilience: The "Development of 100 Coastal Fishermen Villages" initiative aims to transform selected villages into climate-resilient and economically vibrant hubs.
Impact Analysis
Traditional and Artisanal FishersImpact
They receive exclusive access to near-shore waters, reducing competition and gear conflict with larger vessels. They also benefit from financial support during ban periods and improved safety through insurance and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Action Required
Must utilize non-mechanized methods within reserved zones and participate in community development programs for climate resilience.
Mechanized and Motorized Fishing OperatorsImpact
These operators are subject to stricter monitoring through transponders and are prohibited from entering artisanal zones. They must also adhere to the uniform 61-day fishing ban.
Action Required
Ensure the installation and maintenance of satellite transponders and strictly observe seasonal fishing bans and geofenced boundaries.
Project Proponents (Coastal Development)Impact
Entities involved in port-led development or infrastructure must meet higher standards of accountability regarding environmental and community welfare.
Action Required
Prepare mandatory Social and Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and implement robust Management Plans to mitigate project-related disruptions.
Coastal State and Union Territory GovernmentsImpact
Responsible for the local governance of fisheries and the enforcement of central conservation mandates within territorial waters.
Action Required
Coordinate joint patrolling with the Indian Coast Guard and align state-level fishing bans with the national 61-day schedule.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme providing vessel tracking transponders, insurance, livelihood support during fishing bans, and the development of Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages.
Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025: A regulatory framework mandating conservation measures, uniform fishing bans, and ecosystem-based management to protect marine resources in the EEZ.
Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs): State-level legislations used to govern fisheries within 12 nautical miles and reserve near-shore waters exclusively for traditional and non-mechanized fishing vessels.
National Policy for India’s Blue Economy: A draft strategic policy steering the sustainable development of various ocean-based sub-sectors, including fisheries.
Sagarmala Scheme: A port-led development scheme that includes a specific coastal community development pillar to improve the livelihoods of coastal populations.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL FISHING
RIGHTS AND LIVELIHOODS
प्रव तथ: 12 AUG 2026 1:33PM by PIB Delhi
The fisheries up to 12 nautical miles from baseline is governed by the coastal States in accordance with
their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs). Under the respective MFRAs, many coastal States/UTs
have reserved fishing zones for different categories of fishing vessels. Near-shore coastal waters, generally
up to 5 to 10 kilometers from the shore, are exclusively reserved for artisanal and non-mechanized
traditional fishing vessels, which protects traditional livelihoods, minimizes gear conflicts, and prevents
resource overexploitation. Joint patrolling is conducted by State Fisheries Departments along with
enforcement agencies, including the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), to prevent incursion of mechanised fishing
vessels into such reserved zones. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY),
satellite-based transponders are installed on mechanized and motorized fishing vessels, enabling real-time
vessel tracking with geofencing and automated alerts to authorities in cases of incursion into areas
reserved for traditional fishers.
The concept of Blue Economy encompasses many sub-sectors, including fisheries. Ministry of Earth
Sciences, Govt of India, is steering the draft National Policy for India’s Blue Economy. Sagarmala is a
central sector scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with the target to promote port-led
development in the country. As part of the project development, the respective project proponents are
required to prepare the Social and Environmental Impact Assessment Report to assess the potential
impacts of the proposed projects on the community and the environment. Simultaneously, project
proponents need to prepare and implement a Social and Environmental Management Plan to mitigate any
negative impacts that emerge during the studies of baseline conditions, impact assessment, and evaluation
for the project. Further, improvement in the livelihood of communities in coastal areas is also undertaken
through implementation of projects identified under the coastal community development pillar of the
Sagarmala Scheme.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) being the nodal Ministry, reviews
the issues relating to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notifications issued from time to time. MoEF&CC,
based on suggestions and proposals received from various stakeholders of coastal States/UTs, reviews the
CRZ Notification for development of infrastructure along the coast, including concerns of the fishermen
community.
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI), has undertaken comprehensive measures
towards sustainable harnessing of marine fisheries resources and the welfare of small-scale and traditional
fishers. The Government has notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025 that mandates key conservation measures, including ecosystem approach to
fisheries management, implementation of the uniform ban on fishing during fish breeding seasons;
minimum legal size for fish capture and adoption of bycatch reduction measures, prohibition of
destructive and juvenile fishing practices, and promotion of best practices to minimize post-harvest losses.To ensure sustainable fishing, enhance fish stocks, and safety of fishermen at sea, a uniform 61-day annual
fishing ban is implemented in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India during the peak fish breeding
season. Coastal States/UTs also enforce a corresponding ban within their territorial waters, aligning their
schedules with the uniform ban notified by the DoF, GoI. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
Yojana (PMMSY), livelihood and nutritional support is provided to socio-economically backward active
traditional fishers’ families during the fishing ban/lean period. PMMSY also extends coverage through a
Group Accidental Insurance Scheme for active fishers, ensuring social security and risk protection during
fishing operations.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Government of India has, for the first
time, extended dedicated support for sea ranching and installation of Artificial Reefs along the country’s
coastline. These interventions help prevent habitat degradation, enhance fish stocks, and strengthen the
livelihoods of coastal fishers. PMMSY also promotes mariculture activities, including seaweed cultivation
and open-sea cage culture, to reduce fishing pressure in nearshore waters and sustainably augment marine
fisheries production. PMMSY further includes the component “Development of 100 Coastal Fishermen
Villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV)”, aimed at transforming 100 villages
selected jointly with the coastal States/UTs into economically vibrant and climate-resilient villages
through need-based interventions including infrastructure and livelihood-enhancing activities.
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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