Gandhinagar, Feb 19 (NationPress) The coastal town of Veraval in Gujarat is set to be the venue for the introduction of the Access Pass Framework for fishing within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on February 20, as stated by officials. This initiative is being hailed as a pivotal move towards implementing the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025.

The framework will be inaugurated by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, who oversees the departments of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, as well as Panchayati Raj.

The ministry highlighted that the Access Pass will create a legal and transparent framework for endorsing fishing activities within India’s EEZ, aiming to facilitate operations in deeper waters under regulated conditions.

With a coastline spanning 11,099 kilometers and an EEZ of approximately 24 lakh square kilometers, India's fishing endeavors are predominantly limited to a range of 40 to 50 nautical miles off the coast.

The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025, which were announced on November 4 of last year under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, establish a legal and institutional framework aimed at the responsible expansion of fishing activities in the EEZ.

The ministry’s goal with the Access Pass Framework is to empower traditional and small-scale fishers, cooperatives, Self Help Groups, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations, allowing them to tap into high-value marine resources found in offshore waters.

This initiative is projected to aid in the harvesting of deep-sea species like tuna, while enhancing monitoring, compliance, traceability, and safety standards to align with international expectations.

The government asserts that this effort will bolster livelihoods throughout the fisheries value chain and improve India’s standing in the global seafood export market.

India's seafood exports were reported to be worth Rs 62,408 crore in the financial year 2024–25, positioning the country as the second-largest producer of fisheries and aquaculture worldwide.

Veraval, recognized as a significant fisheries processing and export center, has been selected as the launch site.

The Central Government is also planning the establishment of 34 fisheries production and processing clusters across the nation, with Veraval identified as a crucial player in enhancing value addition, modern processing infrastructure, and export capabilities.

The EEZ, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982, extends up to 200 nautical miles from a nation's shoreline, granting sovereign rights for the exploration, conservation, and utilization of marine resources, including fisheries, energy, and minerals.

India's EEZ is among the largest in the world, playing a vital role in advancing sustainable fisheries, reinforcing food security, and increasing export revenues.