Government Notifies New Rules for Sustainable Deep-Sea Fishing in EEZ
The Union Government has notified the 'Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)' rules to regulate deep-sea fishing. The rules prioritize fishermen cooperative societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for operating technologically advanced vessels. The initiative aims to enhance seafood exports through value addition, traceability, and certification while conserving marine biodiversity. It prohibits harmful practices like LED light fishing and pair trawling. In island regions like Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, which account for 49% of India's EEZ, the use of mother-and-child vessels will be promoted to boost high-quality fish exports and sustainable livelihoods.
Key Points
- New rules regulate fishing operations within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond 12 nautical miles.
- Priority is given to cooperatives and FFPOs to manage technologically advanced deep-sea vessels.
- Harmful practices such as LED light fishing and bull trawling are banned to protect the marine ecosystem.
- The 'ReALCraft' portal will be used for the verification and processing of vessel and catch-related information.
Exam Facts
- The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast.
- Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep account for 49% of India's total EEZ area.
- The 'ReALCraft' portal is the designated online platform for vessel registration and catch certification.
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