ACCESS PASS FOR FISHING IN INDIA'S EEZ

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has launched a free digital Access Pass for fishing in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, 12‑200 nautical miles). Issued via the ReALCRaft portal under the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025, the pass is mandatory for mechanised vessels over 24 m but exempts traditional non‑motorised crafts. To date, 9,650 passes have been issued across coastal states and UTs. The Union Budget 2026‑27 declared fish caught in the EEZ duty‑free and treated landings at foreign ports as exports, with related amendments to the Customs Act. The pass is linked to MPEDA, EIC and satellite‑based safety systems, and is supported by the Ministry of Cooperation and NCDC under PMMSY and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund.