(a) whether the Union Government proposes to enact the Marine Fisheries (Regulation
and Management) Act, 2009 to regulate fishing activities in the country;
(b) if so, the salient features of the proposed legislation;
(c) whether various State Governments have opposed the proposed legislation;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the reaction of the Union Governments in this regard?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD
& PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Agriculture has drafted the Marine Fisheries (Regulation and
Management) Act, 2009 to regulate fishing activities in the Maritime Zones of India beyond the
territorial waters of the country, and circulated the draft to the coastal states/Union
Territories for their views.
(b) The salient features of the proposed `Act` are: i) requirement of permission for fishing
in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and ii) notification of fisheries management plans.
(c) to (e) Some State Governments have expressed concerns that the proposed Act may be
detrimental to the interests of traditional fishermen; there is likely to be a conflict
of jurisdiction between the Central and State Governments; the proposed Act may lead to
fishing by foreign vessels in the Indian EEZ etc.
The proposed Act seeks to regulate fisheries beyond the territorial waters, thus there is no
infringement upon the jurisdiction of State Governments. However, all the concerns expressed
by the States will be carefully examined and addressed, and the Act will be finalized only
after detailed consultation with the State Governments and other stakeholders.