Union Minister, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches Access Pass for Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) Fishing

1. At a Glance

• Access Pass for EEZ Fishing is a free, fully-online digital authorisation issued via the ReALCraft portal to Indian fishing vessels seeking to harvest in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (12–200 nautical miles) [S1][S2].
• Launched by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (MoFAHD & Panchayati Raj) on 20 February 2026 at Veraval, Gujarat [S1][S2].
• Operationalises the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 under the Maritime Zones Act, 1976 — a UPSC-relevant intersection of Blue Economy, federal coastal governance, and traceability/digital public infrastructure [S2].

2. Why in the News

• National launch of the Access Pass on 20 Feb 2026 at KCC Ground, Veraval, Gujarat in presence of MoS S.P. Singh Baghel, MoS George Kurian, and Secretary (Fisheries) Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi [S1].
• As of 5 March 2026, 707 Access Passes have been issued across coastal States/UTs via ReALCraft [S2].

3. Background & Evolution

• 1976: Parliament enacts the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act — basis for India's 200 nm EEZ jurisdiction [S2].
• 2020: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) launched to formalise marine fisheries.
• 4 November 2025: GoI notifies Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 under the 1976 Act [S2].
• 20 February 2026: Access Pass formally launched at Veraval; ReALCraft portal upgraded to deliver passes digitally [S1][S2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) — Department of Fisheries [S1].
• Statutory base: Maritime Zones Act, 1976 → EEZ Rules, 2025 [S2].
• EEZ area: ~24 lakh sq km (~2.4 million km²) [S2].
• EEZ extent: 12 to 200 nautical miles from baseline; current fishing largely confined to 40–50 nm [S2].
• Cost to fisher: Free of cost; entirely online [S1].
• Portal: ReALCraft (Registration of fishing vessels in fishing harbour) — Pass delivered to registered mobile/email [S2].
• Who needs it: All mechanised fishing vessels, motorised boats ≥ 24 metres overall length, and motorised vessels exclusively fishing tuna and tuna-like species, operating in the EEZ [S2].
• Issued so far: 707 passes (as of 5 Mar 2026) [S2].
• Launch venue: KCC Ground, Veraval, Gujarat — designated Fishing Harbour Cluster under PMMSY [S1][S2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic - Targets the under-utilised oceanic resource potential (tuna, tuna-like species) beyond the 50 nm zone, raising fisher incomes via high-value pelagic catch [S2]. - Integrates with PMMSY Fishing Harbour Cluster at Veraval — economies of scale and export-grade infrastructure [S2].

Environmental / Sustainability - Rules-based access regime aligned with "Sustainable Harnessing" mandate of the 2025 Rules — prevents open-access overfishing in deep waters [S2]. - Enables traceability of catch — supports compliance with EU IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fishing norms.

Administrative / Governance - Centre–State coordination: Applications routed through coastal States/UTs but EEZ is Union subject (Entry 57, Union List — fishing beyond territorial waters) [S2]. - DPI approach: Digital, time-bound, transparent issuance via ReALCraft — reduces rent-seeking [S2].

Geopolitical / Strategic - Asserts operationalisation of EEZ rights under UNCLOS, 1982 — sovereign rights over living resources in the 200 nm zone. - Supports Blue Economy pillar of SAGAR vision and Deep Ocean Mission complementarity.

Social - Free issuance benefits small/medium mechanised boat owners; eligibility threshold (24 m motorised) excludes artisanal coastal fishers (who do not need it).

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 4 Nov 2025: EEZ Rules, 2025 notified [S2].
• 20 Feb 2026: Access Pass national launch at Veraval [S1].
• By 5 Mar 2026: 707 access passes issued via ReALCraft [S2].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Access Pass launched on 20 February 2026 at Veraval, Gujarat [S1].
• Implementing ministry: MoFAHD, Department of Fisheries (NOT MoEFCC, NOT Shipping) [S1].
• Statutory parent: Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 [S2].
• Subordinate rules: Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 (notified 4 Nov 2025) [S2].
• India's EEZ: ~24 lakh sq km, extends 12–200 nautical miles [S2].
• Issuing portal: ReALCraft [S2].
• Pass is free of cost and fully online [S1].
• Mandatory for mechanised vessels and motorised vessels ≥24 m length, or any vessel exclusively targeting tuna/tuna-like species in EEZ [S2].
• 707 passes issued as of 5 March 2026 [S2].
• Veraval is a designated Fishing Harbour Cluster under PMMSY [S2].
• Union Minister (MoFAHD & Panchayati Raj): Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh [S1].
• MoS MoFAHD: Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian [S1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Economy — Animal rearing/Fisheries; Blue Economy; Infrastructure (ports/harbours); Conservation/Sustainable use of marine resources.
• GS-II: Government policies/interventions; statutory rules under Maritime Zones Act.
• Possible question stems:
• "Discuss how the EEZ Rules, 2025 and the Access Pass mechanism balance livelihood and sustainability concerns in India's marine fisheries sector."
• "India's 24 lakh sq km EEZ remains an under-utilised frontier of the Blue Economy. Examine."
• "Digital Public Infrastructure (ReALCraft) is reshaping fisheries governance in India. Critically analyse."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• PMMSY (2020) — flagship fisheries scheme; provides cluster infrastructure.
• PM-MKSSY — Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana, formalisation sub-scheme.
• UNCLOS 1982 — legal basis for EEZ (200 nm).
• Maritime Zones Act, 1976 — parent statute.
• Deep Ocean Mission (MoES) — complementary blue-economy mission.
• SAGAR & MAHASAGAR vision — strategic maritime doctrine.
• CMFRI marine fish stock assessments — scientific potential estimates.
• EU IUU Regulation — traceability driver for Indian seafood exports.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong ministry: Access Pass is by MoFAHD, not Ministry of Ports/Shipping/Waterways or MoEFCC.
• EEZ vs Territorial Waters: Territorial Waters = 12 nm; Contiguous Zone = 24 nm; EEZ = 200 nm. Access Pass covers 12–200 nm.
• Cost confusion: The pass is free; aspirants may assume a fee under PMMSY subsidy logic.
• Vessel threshold: 24 m applies to motorised boats; all mechanised vessels need it regardless of length.
• Portal name: ReALCraft (not "SagarMitra" or "MatsyaSetu" — those are different fisheries platforms).
• Parent Act year: 1976, not 1982 (UNCLOS year).

11. Sources

• [S1] Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches Access Pass for EEZ Fishing — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2230714 — (tier: 1)
• [S2] National Launch of Access Pass for Fishing in India's EEZ Opens New Horizon — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2231184 — (tier: 1)