Vice President launches national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas
1. At a Glance
- India has formally opened a regulated pathway for its fishermen to fish in the High Seas (beyond the 200-nautical-mile EEZ) through a new licensing instrument called the Letter of Authorisation (LoA) [S1].
- This complements the earlier EEZ Access Pass regime, together forming a two-tier authorisation architecture: Access Pass → EEZ (12–200 nm); LoA → High Seas (beyond 200 nm) [S2][S1].
- Signals India's shift from near-shore/coastal fishing to deep-sea, science-and-technology-driven fishing, targeting high-value species like tuna [S1].
- Relevant for Prelims (schemes, ministries, maritime zones) and Mains GS-III (fisheries economy, Blue Economy, sustainability).
2. Why in the News
- On 9 July 2026, Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan launched the national programme for issuance of LoAs for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas at Bhubaneswar, Odisha [S1].
- He simultaneously launched the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document and distributed LoAs to ten Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and fishermen [S1].
3. Background & Evolution
- 4 November 2025: Government notified the "Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025" under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 [S2].
- 20 February 2026: Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) nationally launched the Access Pass for EEZ fishing at Veraval, Gujarat, issued free of cost via the ReALCraft (Registration and Licensing of Fishing Craft) portal developed by NIC and the Department of Fisheries [S2].
- 9 July 2026: The EEZ framework was extended outward with the High Seas LoA programme, launched by the Vice-President at Bhubaneswar, alongside the state-specific Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document [S1].
- Builds on continuing Central schemes for deep-sea fishing promotion (subsidies/incentives for vessel upgrades) under the Department of Fisheries [S3].
4. Core Static Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launched by | Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan [S1] |
| Location | Bhubaneswar, Odisha [S1] |
| Date | 9 July 2026 [S1] |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Minister: Rajiv Ranjan Singh) [S1][S2] |
| Instrument for EEZ | Access Pass (via ReALCraft portal) [S2] |
| Instrument for High Seas | Letter of Authorisation (LoA) [S1] |
| Enabling law (EEZ Rules) | Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976; Rules notified 4 Nov 2025 [S2] |
| Eligible vessels (EEZ) | Mechanized vessels & motorised boats ≥24 m overall length, or vessels exclusively for tuna/tuna-like species (~64,000 vessels); traditional non-motorised craft exempted [S2] |
| India's coastline | 11,000+ km [S1] |
| India's EEZ | 24 lakh sq. km [S1] |
| India's global fish-production rank | 2nd largest (≈8% of global production) [S1] |
| Livelihoods supported | ~3 crore fishermen and fish farmers [S1] |
| Seafood exports | ₹73,000 crore (last financial year) [S1] |
| Priority beneficiaries | Fishermen Cooperative Societies and FFPOs [S2] |
| LoAs distributed at launch | To 10 FFPOs and fishermen at Bhubaneswar [S1] |
5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Economic - Aims to raise fisher incomes via "higher catch, better prices, and export-compliant practices," including traceability certification [S2]. - Seafood exports already at ₹73,000 crore; untapped EEZ/High Seas potential seen as next growth frontier for the Blue Economy [S1].
Environmental/Sustainability - Vice-President stressed sustainable fishing as a "moral responsibility" — growth must accompany conservation [S1]. - Digital vessel monitoring and anti-illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing compliance measures highlighted [S1].
Legal/Administrative - EEZ regime rests on statutory rules (2025) under the 1976 Maritime Zones Act; High Seas LoA is a further administrative extension into international waters, requiring alignment with global fisheries management norms [S2][S1]. - Implementation via digital portal (ReALCraft) for transparency and time-bound processing [S2].
Social - Priority to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and FFPOs signals a push toward organised, cooperative-based deep-sea fishing rather than individual/unregulated operations [S2]. - Framed as encouraging youth to see fisheries as a "modern profession driven by science and technology" [S1].
Geopolitical/Strategic - High Seas fishing entails engagement with international fisheries governance (flag-state responsibilities, RFMOs for tuna) — described by the VP as "a new chapter in India's maritime journey" [S1].
6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)
- 4 Nov 2025: EEZ Sustainable Harnessing Rules, 2025 notified [S2].
- 20 Feb 2026: National launch of EEZ Access Pass at Veraval, Gujarat [S2].
- 9 Jul 2026: National launch of High Seas LoA programme + Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document at Bhubaneswar [S1].
7. Prelims Hooks
- Letters of Authorisation (LoAs) for High Seas fishing launched by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on 9 July 2026 at Bhubaneswar [S1].
- Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document launched on the same occasion [S1].
- Nodal ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (not MoEFCC) [S1].
- India's EEZ = 24 lakh sq. km; coastline = 11,000+ km [S1].
- India ranks 2nd largest fish producer globally, ~8% of world production [S1].
- Fisheries sector supports livelihoods of ~3 crore people in India [S1].
- Seafood exports valued at ₹73,000 crore in the last financial year [S1].
- EEZ Access Pass (distinct from High Seas LoA) launched 20 Feb 2026 at Veraval, Gujarat [S2].
- EEZ Rules, 2025 notified under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 [S2].
- Access Pass issued via the ReALCraft portal (developed by NIC + Department of Fisheries), free of cost [S2].
- Access Pass mandatory for vessels ≥24 m length or tuna-exclusive vessels (~64,000 vessels) [S2].
- Traditional non-motorised fishing craft are exempt from Access Pass requirement [S2].
- Priority for deep-sea fishing rights given to Fishermen Cooperative Societies and FFPOs [S2].
- Ten FFPOs received LoAs at the Bhubaneswar launch event [S1].
8. Mains Relevance
- GS-III: Indian Economy — Agriculture-allied sectors (Fisheries); Blue Economy; infrastructure and resource mobilisation for deep-sea fishing; conservation vs. growth.
- GS-II: Governance — digital delivery of licences (ReALCraft), federal-state coordination (Odisha-specific mission document).
- Possible question stems: 1. "Discuss the significance of India's move to regulate High Seas fishing through Letters of Authorisation. How does it complement the EEZ Access Pass regime?" 2. "Examine the potential of India's Exclusive Economic Zone and High Seas for sustainable fisheries development. What safeguards are needed to prevent overexploitation?" 3. "Blue Economy is central to India's future growth. Critically analyse the institutional and legal framework governing India's marine fisheries."
9. Related Topics to Study Next
- Blue Economy / Blue Economy Policy Framework — broader umbrella under which deep-sea fishing sits.
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) — flagship fisheries development scheme, funding linkage.
- Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 — the enabling statute.
- UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) — international law basis for EEZ/High Seas distinction.
- IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) Fishing — global governance concern tied to High Seas access.
- Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), e.g., Indian Ocean Tuna Commission — relevant for tuna-species high seas fishing.
- Sagarmala Programme and Maritime India Vision 2030 — related maritime infrastructure initiatives.
- FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries — international sustainability benchmark.
10. Common Errors / Trap Areas
- Confusing Access Pass (EEZ, 12–200 nm) with Letter of Authorisation (High Seas, beyond 200 nm) — they are distinct instruments for distinct zones.
- Attributing the scheme to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change instead of the correct Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
- Mixing up launch dates/locations: EEZ Access Pass → Veraval, Gujarat, Feb 2026; High Seas LoA → Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Jul 2026.
- Assuming the enabling law is a new statute — it is actually notified as Rules (2025) under the pre-existing 1976 Maritime Zones Act.
- Overlooking that the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission Document is a state-specific instrument launched alongside the national LoA programme, not the same thing.
11. Sources
- [S1] Vice President launches national programme for issuance of Letters of Authorisation for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2282766 — (tier: 1)
- [S2] National Launch of Access Pass for Fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Opens New Horizon Marine Fisheries Sector — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2231184 — (tier: 1)
- [S3] Deep-Sea Fishing promotion and incentives — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2238748 — (tier: 1)