Hon’ble Vice President of India to launch Letter of Authorisation for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas and Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document

1. At a Glance

• A Letter of Authorisation (LoA) scheme operationalises India's push to harvest deep-sea/high-seas fishery resources sustainably, targeting an under-exploited 58.6 lakh MT marine fisheries potential [1].
• Flagship event: launch on 9 July 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, by Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, alongside the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document (2026–2036) [1].
• Institutional thrust toward Fisheries Cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) as priority beneficiaries for deep-sea operations [1][3].
• Relevant for Prelims (schemes, numbers) and Mains GS-II/III (federalism, blue economy, sustainable resource use).

2. Why in the News

• Department of Fisheries, GoI organised the National Launch of the LoA for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas on 9 July 2026 in Bhubaneswar [1].
• Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan launched the LoA and the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document in the same event [1].
• Event attended by Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Odisha CM Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Fisheries Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, and Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan; ~1,000 fish farmers/fishers, including women, participated [1].
• First batch of LoAs handed to six named cooperatives across states (Gujarat, Goa, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka) [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• Union Budget 2025–26 announced an "enabling framework for sustainable harnessing of fisheries from the Indian EEZ and High Seas," with special focus on Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands [2].
• On 4 November 2025, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying notified the Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) [2].
• These EEZ Rules created the regulatory backbone (Access Passes, priority for cooperatives/FFPOs) later extended via the High Seas LoA framework launched 9 July 2026 [1][2].
• The ReALCRaft portal (Department of Fisheries) was developed as the digital backbone for registration/licensing of fishing vessels and issuance of Access Passes [2][3].
• Guidelines for Indian-flagged fishing vessels operating in the High Seas were issued under constitutional powers and India's obligations under applicable international law [3].

4. Core Static Facts

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Aims to close the gap between actual catch and the 58.6 lakh MT marine potential, boosting exports (already ₹73,890 crore in FY 2025-26) [1].
• Cooperative/FFPO-led model intended to democratise access to high-value deep-sea/high-seas resources historically dominated by large operators [1][2].

Environmental

• Explicit ban on destructive practices (LED light fishing, pair/bull trawling) signals a sustainability-first regulatory design [2].
• Framework responds to overexploitation concerns in nearshore waters by redirecting effort to underutilised deep-sea/high-seas zones [1][2].

Geopolitical/Strategic

• High Seas operations require compliance with international law obligations (UNCLOS-linked flag-state responsibilities for Indian-flagged vessels) [3].
• Special focus on Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep strengthens India's maritime/blue-economy footprint in strategically sensitive island territories (49% of EEZ) [2].

Administrative/Governance

• Centre-state coordination evident from Odisha-specific Mission Document alongside a national LoA framework [1].
• Digital single-window model (ReALCRaft) for registration, licensing, ownership transfer reduces discretion and aims at transparency [2][3].

Social

• Priority to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and FFPOs, explicit inclusion of women fish farmers/fishers among ~1,000 participants at launch [1][2].
• Exemption of traditional/small-scale fishers from Access Pass mandate protects subsistence fishing communities [2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Union Budget 2025–26 (Feb 2025): announced enabling framework for EEZ/High Seas fisheries [2].
• 4 September 2025: Public consultation notice/extension issued by Dept. of Fisheries on draft guidelines [3].
• 4 November 2025: EEZ Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries Rules notified [2].
• 9 July 2026: National launch of LoA for High Seas fishing + Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document (2026–2036) in Bhubaneswar by VP C.P. Radhakrishnan [1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• LoA for High Seas fisheries launched on 9 July 2026 at Bhubaneswar, Odisha [1].
• Launched by Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan (not the President or PM) [1].
• Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document covers period 2026–2036 [1].
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Department of Fisheries [1][2].
• EEZ Fisheries Rules notified on 4 November 2025, stemming from Union Budget 2025–26 [2].
• India's marine fisheries potential estimated at 58.6 lakh MT [1].
• India's coastline is ~11,099 km; EEZ is ~23–24 lakh sq. km [1][2].
• Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep account for 49% of India's EEZ [2].
• Digital portal for vessel registration/licensing: ReALCRaft [2][3].
• Practices banned under the Rules: LED light fishing, pair trawling, bull trawling [2].
• Traditional and small-scale fishers are exempted from the Access Pass requirement; mechanized/large vessels need it [2].
• Linked credit/infrastructure schemes: PMMSY and FIDF [2].
• Seafood exports stood at ₹73,890 crore in FY 2025-26 [1].
• Odisha CM at launch: Shri Mohan Charan Majhi; Odisha Governor: Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati [1].
• Union Fisheries Minister: Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Infrastructure, Economy of Animal Rearing/Fisheries sector, conservation, environment; also Government policies and interventions for development in the fisheries/blue economy sector.
• GS-II: Centre-state relations/cooperative federalism (national LoA framework + state-specific Odisha Mission Document); Government schemes for vulnerable sections (small/traditional fishers).
• Possible question stems: 1. Discuss the significance of harnessing India's Exclusive Economic Zone and High Seas fishery potential for the blue economy. What safeguards are needed to ensure sustainability? 2. Examine the role of Fisheries Cooperatives and FFPOs in India's deep-sea fishing policy architecture. 3. Analyse how India's fisheries governance balances international legal obligations in the High Seas with domestic livelihood concerns of traditional fishers.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) — core funding scheme referenced for deep-sea fishing support [2].
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) — credit/infrastructure linkage [2].
• India's Blue Economy Policy Framework — broader strategic context for ocean-based economic activity.
• UNCLOS and India's maritime zones (territorial waters, EEZ, continental shelf) — legal basis for High Seas operations [3].
• Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep development initiatives — geostrategic significance highlighted in the EEZ Rules [2].
• Cooperative federalism in fisheries governance — Centre (national Rules/LoA) vs State (Odisha Mission Document) roles.
• Sagarmala Programme / Maritime India Vision — allied blue-economy/port-led development initiatives for comparative study.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing the launching authority: it is the Vice President, not the President or Prime Minister [1].
• Mixing up the EEZ Rules (notified 4 Nov 2025) with the High Seas LoA (launched 9 July 2026) — they are related but distinct instruments under the same Budget 2025-26 mandate [2][1].
• Assuming the Mission Document applies nationally — it is specifically the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document (2026–2036) [1].
• Misattributing the nodal ministry — it is Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, not Ministry of Earth Sciences or MoEFCC.
• Forgetting that traditional/small-scale fishers are exempt from Access Pass requirements, unlike mechanized/large vessels [2].