New Delhi: The government has issued 9,650 free digital Access Passes to fishing vessels operating in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as part of efforts to expand deep-sea fishing opportunities while ensuring sustainable use of marine resources.
The Access Pass is issued through the ReALCRaft portal under the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025, notified on November 4, 2025. It is mandatory for mechanised fishing vessels and large motorised boats over 24 metres operating beyond 12 nautical miles and up to 200 nautical miles.
Traditional non-motorised and small artisanal fishing boats are exempted from the requirement to protect local livelihoods.
The initiative aims to help traditional fishers, fisheries cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) expand into deep-sea fishing and access new opportunities in processing and exports.
The Union Budget 2026-27 also announced that fish caught by Indian vessels in the EEZ and high seas would be duty-free, while landings at foreign ports would be treated as exports, subject to safeguards. Necessary amendments have subsequently been made to the Customs Act, 1962.
The Access Pass system is linked with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Export Inspection Council (EIC), facilitating catch and health certificates, traceability and eco-labelling.
The Department of Fisheries is also working with the Ministry of Cooperation to support cooperatives and small-scale fishers in deep-sea fishing, processing and exports. NCDC has supported the acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels in states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Puducherry and Goa.
The digital system is integrated with satellite-based vessel transponders and the Nabhmitra app, providing fishers with weather forecasts, potential fishing zone advisories, cyclone and tsunami alerts, maritime boundary warnings and emergency communication while at sea.
