Context
- Recently, the Supreme Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to formulate rules under the Marine Fishing Regulation Rules to create a “specified channel,” or official navigation corridor, for the transit of fishing vessels using purse seine nets from the State’s territorial waters to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Supreme Court Ruling & Directives
- Directive to Tamil Nadu: The Supreme Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame rules establishing a “specified channel” (official navigation corridor) under the Marine Fishing Regulation Rules, 2020.
- Purpose: To allow fishing vessels carrying purse-seine nets to transit safely from Tamil Nadu’s territorial waters to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- Cooperative Federalism: The Bench highlighted cooperative federalism between the Centre and the State to balance coastal regulation with the livelihood rights of fishermen.
- No Conflict Verdict: The Court held that there is no conflict between the State’s Marine Fishing Regulation Rules, 2020 and the Union’s Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025.
Maritime Zones & Regulatory Division
| Zone / Parameter | Distance Limits | Regulating Authority | Relevant Rules / Scope |
| Territorial Waters | Up to 12 Nautical Miles | State Government | TN Marine Fishery Regulation Rules, 2020 (Regulates local gear and prevents purse-seine fishing close to shore). |
| Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) | Beyond 12 Nautical Miles (up to 200 NM) | Central / Union Government | Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 (Permits regulated deep-sea fishing via access passes). |
Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in EEZ Rules, 2025
- The Union Government notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.
- The Rules introduced an “Access Pass” mechanism for fishing vessels operating in India’s EEZ.
- Key features include:
- Eligibility and registration of fishing vessels.
- Verification by designated State authorities.
- Catch reporting requirements.
- Measures against juvenile fishing.
- Measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
- Preparation of an eco-centric fisheries management plan.
Some key Important facts
- Entry 21, State List (List II): Fisheries.
- Entry 57, Union List (List I): Powers relating to fisheries beyond territorial waters.
- Purse seine fishing: a fishing method using a large wall of netting to encircle schools of fish; often flagged for overfishing/juvenile fish capture concerns.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC Marine Fisheries Regulation Zone |
Q. Consider the following statements regarding coastal and maritime jurisdiction in India:
1. Regulation of fishing within the 12 nautical miles of territorial waters falls under the primary domain of the respective coastal State Governments.
2. Fishing activities beyond territorial waters in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are regulated by Central laws.
3.State governments can completely ban the transit of fishing gear through territorial waters even if the gear is meant strictly for EEZ fishing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A
• Statement 1 is correct: Under the constitutional scheme and maritime laws of India, regulation of marine fishing within the 12 nautical miles of Territorial Waters falls under the jurisdiction of the respective coastal State Governments, governed by their specific Marine Fishing Regulation Acts.
• Statement 2 is correct: Beyond 12 nautical miles, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (extending up to 200 nautical miles) comes under the executive and legislative domain of the Central/Union Government.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: State governments cannot completely prohibit or block the transit of vessels or fishing gear through territorial waters if the fishers are bound for the EEZ. The Supreme Court clarified that while States can regulate or restrict specific gear (like purse-seine nets) within their 12 nautical miles to protect local ecology, they must provide a "specified channel" or official navigation corridor to allow fishermen lawful transit to fish in the EEZ under Union rules.