Protection of Traditional Fishing Rights and Livelihoods
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has outlined comprehensive measures to protect traditional fishing rights and livelihoods in India's coastal areas. Fisheries up to 12 nautical miles from baseline are governed by coastal States under their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs), with many States/UTs reserving near-shore coastal waters (generally up to 5 to 10 kilometers from the shore) exclusively for artisanal and non-mechanized traditional fishing vessels. This reservation protects traditional livelihoods, minimizes gear conflicts, and prevents resource overexploitation.
Joint patrolling is conducted by State Fisheries Departments along with enforcement agencies including the Indian Coast Guard to prevent incursion of mechanized fishing vessels into reserved zones. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), satellite-based transponders are installed on mechanized and motorized fishing vessels, enabling real-time vessel tracking with geofencing and automated alerts to authorities in cases of incursion into areas reserved for traditional fishers.
Conservation and Sustainable Fishing Measures
The Department of Fisheries has notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025 that mandates key conservation measures including ecosystem approach to fisheries management, implementation of uniform ban on fishing during fish breeding seasons, minimum legal size for fish capture, adoption of bycatch reduction measures, prohibition of destructive and juvenile fishing practices, and promotion of best practices to minimize post-harvest losses.
A uniform 61-day annual fishing ban is implemented in the Exclusive Economic Zone of India during the peak fish breeding season to ensure sustainable fishing, enhance fish stocks, and ensure safety of fishermen at sea. Coastal States/UTs also enforce a corresponding ban within their territorial waters, aligning their schedules with the uniform ban notified by the Department of Fisheries.
Welfare and Development Initiatives
Under PMMSY, livelihood and nutritional support is provided to socio-economically backward active traditional fishers' families during the fishing ban/lean period. The scheme also extends coverage through a Group Accidental Insurance Scheme for active fishers, ensuring social security and risk protection during fishing operations.
The government has extended dedicated support for sea ranching and installation of Artificial Reefs along the country's coastline to prevent habitat degradation, enhance fish stocks, and strengthen livelihoods of coastal fishers. PMMSY promotes mariculture activities including seaweed cultivation and open-sea cage culture to reduce fishing pressure in nearshore waters and sustainably augment marine fisheries production.
The scheme includes development of 100 Coastal Fishermen Villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV), aimed at transforming selected villages into economically vibrant and climate-resilient villages through need-based interventions including infrastructure and livelihood-enhancing activities.
Inter-Ministerial Coordination
The Ministry of Earth Sciences is steering the draft National Policy for India's Blue Economy, while the Sagarmala scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways promotes port-led development with requirements for Social and Environmental Impact Assessment Reports and Social and Environmental Management Plans to mitigate negative impacts on communities. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reviews Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications based on suggestions from coastal States/UTs stakeholders, including concerns of the fishermen community.