{"id":20504,"date":"2026-02-23T12:35:54","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T07:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=20504"},"modified":"2026-02-23T12:35:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T07:05:54","slug":"union-minister-fisheries-animal-husbandry-and-dairying-mofahd-shri-rajiv-ranjan-singh-launches-access-pass-for-economic-exclusive-zone-eez-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=20504","title":{"rendered":"Union Minister, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches Access Pass for Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) Fishing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Union Minister, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches Access Pass for Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) Fishing<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n


\nCompletely online and free of cost Access Pass for enhanced access, traceability and higher incomes<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Posted On: 20 FEB 2026 3:49PM by PIB Delhi<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Hon\u2019ble Union Minister, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) & Panchayati Raj Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the\u00a0Access Pass\u00a0for Fishing in India\u2019s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) today on\u00a020th<\/sup>\u00a0February 2026\u00a0at KCC Ground,\u00a0Veraval, Gujarat, in the presence of Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Shri George Kurian, Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Minority Affairs; Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Department of Fisheries, GoI; and Shri Arunkumar Solanki, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat (Agriculture, Farmers\u2019 Welfare & Cooperation Department).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The event was attended by Representatives of 24 Fisheries Cooperatives from all Coastal States\/UTs, along with physical participation of more than 2,000 participants and all States\/UTs, Fisheries Cooperatives, and FFPOs also joined online from over 500 locations.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

During the launch, Hon\u2019ble Union Minister FAHD Shri Singh\u00a0handed over the Access Pass for Fishing in EEZ to 37\u00a0Fishermen representing 24\u00a0Fisheries cooperative societies\u00a0from all Coastal States\/UTs of India. Hon\u2019ble Union Minister FAHD Shri Singh also distributed\u00a0Safety Kits to the Fishermen,\u00a0which included Life Jackets, High-Beam Torches, and GPS devices empowering them to safely navigate offshore fisheries activities,\u00a0followed by distribution of Rs. 2 Lakh\u00a0grant to the newly formed Fisheries Cooperative Societies\u00a0in Gujarat.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The launch of the Access Pass is a significant milestone towards operationalising a modern, sustainable and fisher-centric governance framework for India\u2019s EEZ, aimed at expanding offshore fishing, increasing fisher incomes, promoting responsible utilisation of marine resources, and advancing the national vision of a resilient and inclusive Blue Economy.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hon\u2019ble Union Minister, FAHD & Panchayati Raj,\u00a0Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, in his address highlighted that the EEZ framework was drafted after extensive consultations with fishermen associations, cooperatives, States\/UTs and scientific institutions, ensuring a transparent, inclusive and future\u2011ready system. The Minister shared that over applications have already been received on the RealCraft portal, and Access Passes will be issued as per guidelines over the coming month.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hon\u2019ble Union Minister, Shri Singh urged fishermen to organise themselves into cooperatives for growth, apply for the Access Pass, and benefit from the EEZ rules, as the fish catch by any Indian vessel in the EEZ\/high seas is duty-free as per Budget announcement 2026.\u200b He highlighted the Government\u2019s investments in various welfare schemes, safety systems such as Transponders for real\u2011time tracking, and PFZ advisories that save lives and improve productivity. He also emphasized on the Joint Working Group with the Ministry of Cooperation to strengthen fisheries cooperatives and expand opportunities in deep\u2011sea fisheries.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel,\u00a0Hon\u2019ble Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, & Panchayati Raj, GoI in his address highlighted the Access Pass has been designed as a simple, transparent, and fully digital system that provides authorised Indian fishing vessels with clarity and confidence to operate in offshore waters. Hon\u2019ble MoS, FAHD Prof. Baghel highlighted that the Rules strictly prohibit the entry of foreign fishing vessels into the Indian EEZ, safeguarding the nation’s marine wealth, and added that this step will empower Indian fishermen and expand opportunities in deep-sea fisheries.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. George Kurian, Hon\u2019ble Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Minority Affairs, Government of India, in his address highlighted that today\u2019s event symbolised India\u2019s resolve to advance into the next phase of marine fisheries development, an important step towards achieving PM Modi\u2019s vision of\u00a0Viksit Bharat 2047<\/em>. He noted that Veraval has been designated as a ‘Fishing Harbour Cluster’ under PMMSY, which will boost efficiency and enable economies of scale for the sector.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India highlighted that the Access Passes will be issued through a transparent and seamless portal. He mentioned that EEZ remains significantly under-utilised, despite scientific assessments indicating substantial potential, particularly for high-value oceanic resources such as tuna and tuna-like species which command premium prices in international markets. Dr. Likhi, Union Secretary added the Department’s focus is on sustainable growth of fisheries resources, and strengthening Fisheries cooperatives and FFPOs. He also underscored the emphasis on training and capacity-building across coastal states, along with infrastructure development such as the smart and integrated harbour at Jakhau under PMMSY.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. B.K. Behera,\u00a0Chief Executive, NFDB, set the context, thanked Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, for his leadership and guidance, and highlighted the various interventions in the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector in Gujarat via the various schemes led by the Department of Fisheries.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The program also witnessed participation of Ms. Sneha Bhapkar, In\u2011charge Collector, Gir Somnath; Mr. Jaydip Singh Jadeja, SP, Gir Somnath; Mr. Rajesh Aal, RAC, Gir Somnath; Mr. Vijaykumar Kharadi, Commissioner of Fisheries; Mrs. Pallaviben Jani, President, Veraval\u2013Patan Joint Municipality, Veraval; Mrs. Manjulaben Muchhar, President, District Panchayat, Gir Somnath, along with Senior officials of Department of fisheries, State fisheries department, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Export Inspection Council (EIC), Fisheries Cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), and Local Fishers.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Background\u00a0\u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

India with an EEZ spanning nearly 24 lakh square kilometres, possesses enormous potential for marine fisheries development, livelihood generation, and export expansion. The bulk of fishing activity by Indian vessels continues to remain confined to waters within 40-50 nautical miles from the coast. The vast EEZ beyond this range remains significantly under-utilised, despite scientific assessments indicating substantial potential, particularly for high-value oceanic resources such as tuna and tuna-like species. To unlock this potential, the Government of India had earlier notified the \u201cSustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 2025\u201d Rules on 4 November 2025, in line with the Union Budget 2025\u201326 announcement.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Union Minister, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches Access Pass for Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) Fishing Completely online and free of cost Access Pass for enhanced access, traceability and higher incomes Posted On: 20 FEB 2026 3:49PM by PIB Delhi Hon\u2019ble Union Minister, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) & …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20504"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20507,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20504\/revisions\/20507"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}