The Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is a free digital pass issued via the ReALCRaft Portal. Its core objective is to empower the traditional fishers, cooperatives, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) for fishing in the EEZ (12 to 200 nautical miles), while ensuring sustainability of oceanic fishery resources. The Access Pass is issued under the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025 notified by the Government of India on 04 November 2025. The Access Pass is required for mechanized fishing vessels and large motorized boats over 24 meters length, while traditional non-motorized and small artisanal crafts are fully exempted to protect local livelihoods. This landmark initiative aims to empower traditional and small-scale fishermen, Fisheries Cooperative Societies, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to expand fishing operations, harness untapped resources through deep-sea fishing, and access new income streams through processing and exports, thereby enhancing livelihoods. As per the EEZ Rules, the Access Pass is required for undertaking fishing operations in the EEZ of India, beyond 12 nautical miles. So far, a total of 9,650 Access Passes have been issued based on applications received through coastal States and Union Territories. The State/UT‑wise status of Access Passes issued under the EEZ Rules, 2025 is placed at Annexure.

To create new export opportunities for Indian fishers operating beyond territorial waters, the Union Budget 2026–27 announced that fish caught by Indian fishing vessels in the EEZ or the High Seas would be duty‑free, and that landings at foreign ports would be treated as exports of goods, with safeguards to prevent misuse during transit or transshipment. In pursuance of this announcement, necessary amendments have been carried out in the Customs Act, 1962 to ensure that the fish caught in the EEZ is duty‑free. The Access Pass issued through ReALCRaft portal, is linked with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC) to provide seamless catch and health certificates, to ensure traceability and eco-labelling.

  Adopting a whole‑of‑Government approach, the Department of Fisheries, GoI is collaborating with the Ministry of Cooperation through a Joint Working Group (JWG) to promote small‑scale fishermen, fisheries cooperatives, and FFPOs in deep‑sea fishing, post‑harvest handling, processing, and exports. The Ministry of Cooperation supports this initiative by strengthening cooperative institutions and facilitating access to cooperative credit through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the NCDC has supported for acquisition of Deep‑Sea Fishing Vessels in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Puducherry and Goa. The NCDC has also supported the acquisition of Deep‑Sea Fishing Vessels under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) implemented by DoF, GoI.

The Access Pass framework operates in convergence with the existing digital fisheries and maritime safety systems. It is integrated with satellite‑based transponders installed onboard Fishing Vessels and linked with the Nabhmitra mobile application to provide real-time advisories of Potential-Fishing-Zone (PFZ), dissemination of weather forecasts, cyclone and tsunami warnings, navigational advisories, International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) alerts, emergency communication, and other safety‑related information delivered directly to fishers at sea for enhancing safety and improving fishing efficiency.

ANNEXURE

STATEMENT REGARDING "ACCESS PASS FOR FISHING IN INDIA'S EEZ"

Sr. No.	Coastal States/UTs	Access Passes issued under EEZ Rules, 2025 (as on 5th August, 2026)
	KARNATAKA	2563
	GUJARAT	2524
	ANDHRA PRADESH	1952
	ODISHA	887
	MAHARASHTRA	627
	DAMAN & DIU	372
	LAKSHADWEEP	257
	KERALA	256
	GOA	87
	ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR	52
	PUDUCHERRY	46
	WEST BENGAL	21
	TAMIL NADU	6
	Grand Total	9650

This Information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question asked.

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