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

1. At a Glance

• 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 [1][2].
• Launched nationally on 20 February 2026 by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh ("Lalan Singh") at Veraval, Gujarat, covering all 13 coastal States/UTs [1][3].
• 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 [1][4].

2. Why in the News

• 18 Feb 2026 PIB notification: Union Minister to launch Access Pass on 20 Feb 2026 at Veraval, Gujarat [3].
• At launch, 37 Fishermen representing 24 Fisheries Cooperative Societies from all coastal States/UTs received Access Passes [1].
• Operationalises the EEZ Rules notified on 4 November 2025 [1][2].

3. Background & Evolution

• 1976: Parliament enacts the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act (Act 80 of 1976) — parent statute [2].
• 2020: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) launched as flagship scheme for fisheries development [4].
• Budget 2025–26: Proposed framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from Indian EEZ and High Seas [5].
• 4 Nov 2025: Centre notifies the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in EEZ Rules, 2025 under the 1976 Act [2].
• 20 Feb 2026: National launch of Access Pass at Veraval [1].

4. Core Static Facts

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D), Department of Fisheries [3].
• Parent Act: Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 [2].
• Rules: Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in EEZ Rules, 2025 (notified 04.11.2025) [2].
• India's coastline: ~11,099 km [3][4].
• India's EEZ area: ~24 lakh sq km (2.4 million km²) [3][4].
• EEZ extent: 12 to 200 nautical miles from baseline [4].
• Andaman & Nicobar + Lakshadweep: account for ~49% of India's EEZ area [2].
• PMMSY allocation 2026–27: ₹2,500 crore [4].
• Fish production: rose from 95.79 lakh tonnes (FY 2013-14) to 197.75 lakh tonnes (FY 2024-25) — 106% growth [6].
• Priority groups under Rules: Fishermen Cooperative Societies & Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) [1][2].
• Banned gear/practices: LED light fishing, pair trawling, bull trawling [2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Targets transition from near-shore to deep-sea fishing, expanding catch of high-value species (tuna) and seafood exports [1][4].
• PMMSY infrastructure: 730 cold storages/ice plants, 26,348 fish transport units, 6,410 fish kiosks [4].

Environmental

• Bans destructive practices (LED light, pair/bull trawling); mandates minimum legal sizes and fisheries management plans with States [2].
• Aligns with international obligations on marine conservation and ecosystem health [2].

Social / Livelihood

• Priority to cooperatives and FFPOs democratises access to deep-sea resources, prevents corporate capture [1][2].
• Livelihood protection for traditional fishers — explicit stated objective of the launch [3].

Legal / Constitutional

• Anchored in 1976 Maritime Zones Act; EEZ is a Union subject; fisheries within territorial waters (12 nm) remain a State subject — federal interface managed through joint management plans [2].

Strategic / Geopolitical

• Asserts effective sovereign rights over the EEZ (UNCLOS-derived); reduces under-utilisation that invites IUU fishing by foreign vessels [2][4].
• Mother–child vessel model for A&N and Lakshadweep enhances reach in remote EEZ zones [2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Feb 2025: Union Budget 2025–26 announces framework for sustainable EEZ/high-seas fisheries [5].
• 04 Nov 2025: EEZ Rules, 2025 notified [2].
• 20 Nov 2025: World Fisheries Day 2025 observed; marine livelihoods spotlighted [4].
• 18 Feb 2026: PIB announces national launch of Access Pass [3].
• 20 Feb 2026: Access Pass formally launched at KCC Ground, Veraval; 37 passes handed to 24 cooperatives [1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Access Pass launched at Veraval, Gujarat on 20 February 2026 [1].
• Launching Minister: Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), MoFAH&D & Panchayati Raj [3].
• Parent Act: Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 [2].
• EEZ Rules notified: 4 November 2025 [2].
• India's EEZ: ~24 lakh sq km; coastline ~11,099 km [3][4].
• EEZ extends from 12 to 200 nautical miles [4].
• A&N + Lakshadweep = ~49% of India's EEZ [2].
• Priority under Rules: Cooperative Societies and FFPOs [2].
• Banned practices: LED light, pair trawling, bull trawling [2].
• Fish production FY 2024-25: 197.75 lakh tonnes [6].
• PMMSY launch year: 2020; 2026-27 allocation ₹2,500 crore [4].
• Number of coastal States/UTs covered: 13 [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Economy — Fisheries/Animal Husbandry; Blue Economy; Food processing; Conservation & Environment.
• GS-II: Government policies & interventions for vulnerable sections (traditional fishers); Centre-State relations.
• Probable question stems: 1. "The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in EEZ Rules, 2025 mark a paradigm shift from regulation to sustainable utilisation of India's marine resources. Discuss." 2. "Despite a 24 lakh sq km EEZ, India's fishing remains concentrated near the coast. Examine the causes and evaluate the Access Pass mechanism as a corrective." 3. "Discuss the Blue Economy potential of India's EEZ, and the role of cooperatives and FFPOs in its sustainable exploitation."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• PMMSY — flagship parent scheme.
• PM-MKSSY — Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana, fisher welfare arm.
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
• UNCLOS, 1982 — international source of EEZ concept.
• Sagarmala & Blue Economy framework — coastal infrastructure linkage.
• Deep Ocean Mission (MoES) — sibling deep-sea initiative.
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019 — coastline governance.
• IUU Fishing & FAO Port State Measures Agreement — international compliance angle.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing the 1976 Maritime Zones Act with the Indian Fisheries Act, 1897 — the EEZ Rules flow from the 1976 Act, not the 1897 Act [2].
• Misstating EEZ extent: it is 12–200 nm (i.e., beyond territorial waters), not 0–200 nm [4].
• Wrong ministry: it is MoFAH&D, NOT MoEFCC or Ministry of Earth Sciences [3].
• Confusing Access Pass (EEZ harvesting authorisation) with a fishing licence issued by coastal States within 12 nm.
• Assuming the launch covers only Gujarat — it is a national launch for all 13 coastal States/UTs [1].