Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, launched the historic ‘Access Pass’ for fishing in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) at Veraval on Friday. The programme was also attended by Union Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurien.
Under this new framework, Indian fishermen can now obtain an Access Pass to operate in deep-sea waters through a completely online and free process. Addressing a large gathering of over 2,000 participants, the minister emphasized that this farmer-centric reform aligns with the national vision of a resilient Blue Economy. He highlighted that under the 2026 Budget, fish caught by Indian vessels in the Exclusive Economic Zone or high seas will now be duty-free, a move expected to significantly enhance the income of the fishing community.
