Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh to launch Access pass for Fishing in Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) at Veraval, Gujarat

• Access Pass is the operational instrument under the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025, enabling Indian fishers (priority to cooperatives/FFPOs) to harvest oceanic resources between 12–200 nautical miles.
• Launched nationally on 20 February 2026 by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh ("Lalan Singh") at Veraval, Gujarat, covering all 13 coastal States/UTs.
• Strategic significance: shifts Indian fishing from near-shore (40–50 nm) to deep-sea, targets tuna and tuna-like species, boosts exports, advances Blue Economy.