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 Chapter - 1
Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (MFRA) and Its
Amendments in India: An Overview
Ashish Sahu, Abinaya R, Amritha Priya, Mohammad Nadim Ansari, Abisha C, Karthika
Raju, Virendra Kuma and Vedika Masram

Abstract
In India, fisheries and aquaculture is regarded as a 'Sunrise Sector' due to
their rapid growth, a significant role in economic development, food and
nutritional security, employment and livelihood for coastal populations in
particular. Our country is generally bestowed with a long coastline of 8,129
km, including 13 marine states & union territories, bordering the Arabian Sea
on the west coast and the Bay of Bengal on the east coast. At present, the
country is in 7th position in global marine capture fish production after China,
Indonesia and USA. Over the last decades the multi-species, multi-gear and
open access fisheries in India and increasing demand for fish, leaded to the
excessive fishing pressure in inshore waters, overcapacity of vessels, growth
and recruitment overfishing of fishes and other unsustainable fishing practices
are pushing many fish stocks to the point of decline in fish population, and
fishing yields and creating conflicts between fisherman for resources. Hence,
fishery resources need to be monitored and managed. The management of
fisheries in India is governed by rules and regulations formulated under the
Indian fisheries act 1897 and later under the marine fisheries regulation act
1978. The regulatory measures formulated under the above acts mainly cover
the prohibition of exploitation of resources by destructive gears, explosives,
and poison and regulations for fishing and conservation measures in the
territorial waters to ensure the catches from a fish stock are ecologically
sustainable in the long term, benefits to the fishers and communities are
maximized and protect the interests of fishermen on board traditional fishing
vessels. The MFRAs play a significant role in regulating fishing activities and
maintaining law and order at sea, especially in territorial waters.
Keywords: Fisheries legislation, marine fisheries, rules and regulation,
Malthusian overfishing, fishing ban/trawl ban, maritime states, exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) and mesh size regulation

Page | 3
Introduction
Marine fishing is a rapidly evolving sector with significant global
expansion, and it is an important contributor to the economy and well-being
of coastal communities. Marine fish landing for the year 2020 was estimated
as 2.73 million tonnes, with a decline of 23.45% compared to 2019. In India,
fish stocks are 34.1% sustainable, 36.3% overfished, 26.5% recovering, and
3.1% overfished [1]. However, the current stagnation in marine fish landings
reflects either overexploitation or optimal exploitation of marine fishery
resources2. Due to the exposure of marine and coastal resources to unregulated
or uncontrolled fishing efforts such as modern fishing techniques, efficient
fishing gears, extended fishing gear by the traditional fishery sector, multi-day
fishing, day-night fishing, fisheries catch and production has been steadily
declining. With a coastline of 8129 km, India has exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) rights over 2.02 million km [2]. An act deals with India's territorial seas,
continental shelf, exclusive economic zone, and other maritime zones. On 25th
August, 1976, Congress passed the Territorial Waters (up to 12 nautical miles
to 22 nautical miles), Continental Shelf (up to 24 nautical miles to 44 nautical
miles), Exclusive Economic Zone, and Other Maritime Zones Act, which went
into force on 15th January 1997. The fisheries legislation that followed this
act was the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign
Vessels) Act, 1981 & Rule, 1982. The exploitation of fisheries in the EEZ was
a specially designed and capital-intensive venture that could only be launched
successfully through joint ventures and collaborative programmes, proper
operation monitoring, exploitation of deep-sea demersal and mid-water
fisheries through the charter of fishing vessels, and development of processing
technology to fit domestic and export markets. India's fisheries have
traditionally been open and unregulated, leading to unsustainable expansion
and development. Long-term production and development of marine fisheries
are critical from a political and social standpoint and an environmental and
economic standpoint.
The protection and conservation of fisheries resources, a crucial
component of fisheries management, requires a legal framework. In response
to local difficulties, the MFRAs were adopted to prevent conflicts between the
artisanal and mechanised sectors and manage fishing resources within
territorial seas. Sir F. Nicholson established the Madras Presidency (1907) as
the first fisheries department dedicated to the sector's development.
The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India specifies subjects that
are on the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List. Fisheries within
the territorial waters are subjected to state jurisdiction, which is mentioned in

Page | 4
the state list, while the waters beyond this limit but within the EEZ fall under
the purview of the central government. After introducing of trawlers in India,
the conflict between traditional and mechanised fishers emerged in many parts
of India, especially in Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. To resolve the challenges
that have arisen, the Marine Fishing Regulation Act (MFRA) was adapted by
all maritime states from a law prepared and published by the union
administration in 1979.

Fig 1: Maritime Zones of India

Marine Fishery Legislation in the Maritime States of India

In India, nine maritime states and four union territories, viz. Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and Kerala along the west coast, bordering the
Arabian Sea; and Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and West Bengal
along the east coast, bordering the Bay of Bengal. The two island union
territories, viz. Lakshadweep and Daman, and Diu are located in the Arabian
Sea and Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Island are located in the Bay of
Bengal, respectively.
The Indian Fisheries Act of 1897, passed by the British government, is
considered a forerunner for various fisheries legislation introduced in India.
Following that, various state governments enacted regulations for fisheries
management and protection under the legislation. The regulations concerning
Indian marine fisheries are listed in the table. 1:

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Table 1: Marine fisheries-related acts and regulations specific to India's coastal states
and the UTs (Handbook of fisheries & aquaculture, 2011).

Year of
States and UTs Different Acts and regulations
enactment
The Indian Fisheries Act 1897
Gujarat
The Gujarat Fisheries Act 2003
The Maharashtra Fisheries Act 1961
Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1981
Indian Fisheries (Goa, Daman, Diu Amendment Act) 1968
Goa The Goa, Daman and Diu Marine Fishing
1980
Regulation Act
The Mysore Game and Fish Preservation Act 2 1901
Karnataka
The Karnataka Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1986
The Game and Fish Protection Regulation Act 12 1914
Cochin Fisheries Act 3 1917
The United Provinces Fisheries Act 45 1948
Kerala
Government of Travancore-Cochin Fisheries Act 34 1950
The Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act and
1980
Rules
Indian Fisheries (Goa, Daman, Diu Amendment Act) 1968
Daman and Diu The Goa, Daman and Diu Marine Fishing
1980
Regulation Act
Lakshadweep
The Lakshadweep Marine Fishing Regulation Act 2000
Islands
Nilgiris Game and Fish Preservation Act II 1879
Government of Bengal and Madras Amendment Act
Tamil Nadu 1929
11
The Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Rules 1983
Executive Order of the Government of Andhra
1983
Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Indian fisheries (Andhra Pradesh Extension and
1961
Amendment Act)
The Andhra Pradesh Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1994
The Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act 10 1981
The Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Rules 1983
Orissa Judgement by the Orissa High court making
mandatory the use of 1998
Turtle Exclusion Devices (TED) by fishing trawlers
Bengal Private Fisheries Protection Act 2 1889
West Bengal Government of Bengal and Madras Amendment Act
1929
11

Page | 6
 Fisheries (Requisition and Acquisition) Act 1965
The West Bengal Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1993
The Indian Fisheries (Pondicherry Amendment), Act
1965
18
Puducherry
The Pondicherry Marine Fishing Regulation Act 2008
The Pondicherry Marine Fishing Regulation Rules 2009
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Fisheries Regulation
1938
Andaman and 1
NicobarIslands Andaman and Nicobar Islands Marine Fishing
2003
Regulation

Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAS), 1978

The Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs), 1978, regulate fishing
vessels in the 12 nm territorial sea and conservation measures in the territorial
waters. These include,
1. Regulation of mesh size to avoid juvenile fish catch.
2. Control and restriction of certain gears and mesh size restrictions.
3. Minimum-maximum fish sizes.
4. Regulation of gear to avoid overexploitation of certain species.
5. Reservation of zones to traditional fishermen and declaration of
closed seasons.
6. Demarcate fishing zones in territorial waters for fishing by non-
mechanised and mechanised fishing vessels.
7. Distance from the shore earmarked for each category varies from
state to state.
8. Five to ten km is generally reserved for operation by artisanal (non-
mechanised) vessels.
9. Zone regulations based on vessel types.
10. Registration and licensing of fishing vessels.
The Marine Fisheries Act was first time passed in Kerala and Goa in 1980,
followed by Maharashtra (1981), Orissa (1982), Tamil Nadu (1983),
Karnataka (1986), West Bengal (1993), and Andhra Pradesh (1994).
Lakshadweep was doing so in 2000. In 2003, Gujarat and the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands enacted this act, followed by Puducherry (2008). Seasonal
fishing closures (mainly during the monsoon season to control the capture of
young fishes/brooder fishes (recruitment overfishing) and fishing restrictions
on specific days or times of the day are also included in MFRAs. For example,
in some parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, night trawling is illegal3.

Page | 7
All crafts, including non-motorised traditional vessels (except in Kerala,
where vessels without engines are exempted), can fish anywhere in the sea,
while other categories of vessels are restricted.
Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAS) in different maritime states
1. Kerala-MFRA, 1980
Kerala has a coastline of 589.5 km, covering 10% of India's total coastline
and has an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 2,18,536 km2. Nearly more than
8 lakh people from 222 marine fishing villages earn their livelihood from
capture and allied works in the marine fisheries of Kerala. The high demand
for fish in the state resulted in fishing intensification which led to
unsustainability and overexploitation. So, it is necessary to manage the marine
fishery of Kerala to conserve resources and to ensure the well-being of the
fishing community along the Kerala Coast. The acts and amendments for the
regulation of marine fishing all along the Kerala coast are as follows:
Kerala Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980, Rules, 1980 and Bill, 2021
In Kerala MFRA, 1980 the territorial water is divided into two different
zones as below,
Zone Area Region Length
From shore up to 30 m line in From Kollencode in the south
First Zone 78 km.
the sea along the coast to Paravoor (Pozhikkara)
Second From shore up to 20 m line in From Paravoor in the south to
512 km.
Zone the sea along the coastline Manjeshwar in the north

In the first and Second zones, mechanised fishing is prohibited except for
fishing by motorised country craft. Upto10 km only fishing with country craft
and traditional craft is allowed in these zones. Small mechanised vessels (<25
GRT) are allowed to operate between 40 and 70 m depth in the first zone and
between 20 and 40 m in the second zone.
Kerala MFRA was amended and notified in the years 1986 and 2017. In
these amendment acts, mesh size (not less than 35 mm in specified areas), and
constitution of the fisheries council and the power, duties and functions of the
council are mentioned.
KL-Marine Fishing Regulation Rules enacted in 1980 to implement the
provisions of KLMFRA, 1980 and amended in 1987, 1988, 2018 in which
appealing period to District Collector, after the order of adjudicating officer,
the period for granting and refusal of licence or registration of the vessel, the
preventive measure of forcible escape of impounded vessel, Minimum Legal
Size (MLS) of 58 species-as a fisheries management tool, colour coding of the

Page | 8
vessel, details of crew, Turtle Excluder Device (TED) are mentioned. In 2021,
KL-Marine Fishing Regulation Bill was notified with the proposal for the
biometric identity card of fishers and prevention of the use of the vessel for
other purposes.
2. GOA-MFRA, 1980
Goa is bestowed with a coastline of 104 km with numerous bays and
headlands. The continental shelf area of Goa extends to 10,000 km2 of about
100 fathoms depths. The marine fishery sector provides livelihood to many
people in Goa. The fisheries sector of the state faces various challenges like
over-exploitation, indiscriminate fishing practices, fish migration barriers,
pollution, habitat degradation, invasive species, climate change, and lack of a
proper management framework. Hence, it is necessary to manage the marine
fisheries regulation of Goa to improve the rural livelihood in the coastal
region.
The Goa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980 and Rules, 1982
It enacts the prohibition of the use of fishing vessels in contravention,
power to regulate the mesh size of fishing nets, and licensing of fishing vessels
and nets. Goa MFRA was amended and notified in 2002 and 2019, in which
relaxation of time limit for registration, minimum mesh sizes for fish (24 mm)
& shellfish (20 mm), ban of explosives for fishing in inland and coastal waters
are mentioned. Goa Marine Fishing Regulation Rules were amended in 1992,
2001, 2012, 2014, and 2015, which involve changes in the acts of schedule I
and II of Goa, Daman and Diu Fisheries Rules, 1981, period of validity of the
licence, licensing of vessels and nets, fees for the transfer of registration,
duplicate registration certificate, colour coding of vessels, photo identity card
of crews, sufficient safety equipments, the renewal fee for licensing,
registration, net license & registration, levy of new rates for adventure tours
in Wild Life Protected Areas (WLPAs), 1972. The government notifications
were issued two times in 2016 and 2020-21, which notified the operation of
bull trawlers in specified areas using LED and other lights as fish attractants.
3. Maharashtra- MFRA, 1981
The coast of Maharashtra, also known as the Konkan coast, has the fourth-
longest coastline among the maritime states of India (720 km). The
Continental shelf area is about 1.12 lakh km2. There are 456 marine villages
spanning over five coastal districts of the state, and the livelihood of people
living there depends on fishing and related activities.

Page | 9
The Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1981 and Rules, 1982
This act was enacted on 23rd September 1981 with the inclusion of more
points for the development of a sustainable fishery of the state. They are the
introduction of adjudicating officer, appellate board, enforcement officer,
fishing vessel, licensing officer, port, specified area, disposal of seized fish,
power of the officers, exemption (nothing contained in this act shall apply to
survey vessels belonging to the Central Government or any State Government
or any Public Undertakings) and Punishment of offence.
In the past years, MH-MFRA was amended in 1983, 1989, 1997, 2001,
2003 and 2021. In these amendments, the powers conferred to adjudicating
officers, mesh sizes of trawls in specified areas, revised fee structure, no-
fishing zone in 500 m sea from BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Center), and
change of adjudicating officer are mentioned. Maharashtra Marine Fishing
Regulation Rule was notified in 1982, and 2002, having a revised list of fees,
the intervention of the revenue department, and discharge of duties in
municipal wards of Greater Bombay. It also has a provision to get the duplicate
license and operation of the vessel in other locations than the registered
location (with the condition of some prescribed fee).
4. Odisha-MFRA, 1982
The state of Odisha has a coastline of 480 km, forming 8% of the total
coastline of India and a continental shelf area of 25000 km2. The marine
fishery of Odisha assumes importance with the domestic market and export
earnings. During the last two decades, the fleet size has substantially increased
with the fisher population, and the trend continues. The astringent fishery
management system is necessary to reduce the fishing effort and pressure on
overexploited fishery resources along the Odisha coast.
Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982 and Rules, 1983
This act Prohibits fishing by mechanised fishing vehicles in an area of
one km in the sea adjoining the mouth of any river and passing of fishing
vessel through any specified area should not cause any damage to any fishing
nets or tackles belonging to any person who engages in fishing in the specified
area by using any traditional fishing craft such as catamaran, country craft or
canoe. For the implementation of OMFRA, 1982 Odisha Marine Fishing
Regulation Rules were enacted in 1983.
5. Tamil Nadu-TN-MFRA, 1983
The Tamil Nadu marine fisheries are of paramount importance, having a
coastline of 1,076 km scattered across 608 marine fishing villages with an

Page | 10
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 1.9 lakh km2. With the large influx of
giant mechanised fishing crafts and gears over the years, Tamil Nadu has also
seen notable progressions in fishing technology. In order to achieve the
sustainability, various measures have been adopted by the government, such
as Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) for fishing, the enforcement of Tamil
Nadu's Marine Fishing Regulation Act and the adoption of a code of conduct
for responsible fishing, improving conservation and sustainable use of sea and
fish resources, etc.
The Tamil Nadu Marine Fisheries Regulation Act (TN-MFRA), 1983
The following features have been imposed to regulate fishing and fishing
capacity of fishing vessels in territorial waters of Tamil Nadu,
 The mechanised fishing vessel shall leave for fishing only after 5
A.M. and shall report back not later than 9 P.M.
 Mechanised fishing vessel: vessel not less than 8 m OAL and not
more than 15m OAL with engines of not less than 15 horsepower
(hp) and not more than 120 hp.
 Deep-sea fishing vessel: vessel not less than 15 m OAL with engines
of not less than 120 hp.
Over the years, TN-MFRA was amended in 2000, 2011 and 2016 with
the concerns of ban on specific gears (pair trawls, purse seines) operation,
differentiation of mechanised (10-24 m) and deep-sea vessels (≥ 24 m) with
their engine capacity, changes in the engine capacity of vessels according to
the type of the vessel and the material through which it is prepared and the
operation region.
6. Karnataka-MFRA, 1986
With 313.02 km of coastline and 27,000 km2 of the cont. shelf along the
southwest coast of India, historically known as the mackerel coast due to the
higher landing of Indian mackerel (National fish). Marine fisheries are mainly
supported by three coastal districts, viz. Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara
Kannada have 162 fishing villages with 3.28 lakh fishers. Recent studies
showed a decline in the landing of pelagic fishes like oil sardine and Indian
mackerel and shifting in the fisheries sector from subsistence fishing to the
status of a multi-million industry with the increased mechanised sector [4].
Also, the state has the largest purse seine fleet in India, giving ample
opportunity for fisheries management in this state.
Karnataka Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act, 1986 and Rules, 1987
To regulate fishing activities on scientific lines on the coastline and to
conserve the fishery wealth of the state of Karnataka, the Karnataka Marine

Page | 11
Fishing (Regulation) Act was enacted in 1986 and came into force in 1989. In
1987, Karnataka Marine Fishing (Regulation) Rules were implemented to
carry out the KA-MFRA 1986. In addition to that, the state government has
notified several orders in the state to protect and utilise the fishery resources
sustainably. However, the KA-MFRA, 1986, was not amended from the year
it was enacted. At the same time, the fisheries department has proposed an
amendment to the act. Since the existing act penalty for illegal fishing is very
low, a fine of only up to ₹5,000 can be imposed, and illegal fishing is a non-
cognisable offence. So, they have been proposed to impose a fine of up to
₹2.50 lakh, make illegal fishing a cognisable offence, and give the coastal
security police powers to book cases.
7. West Bengal-MFRA, 1993
The coastline of West Bengal stretches across 158 km and the continental
shelf area of 17,049 km2. The Bengal fishery is flourishing daily due to
massive demand in the National and International markets. The higher demand
for marine fish catch increased the number of mechanised boats in West
Bengal. This will result in the decline of capture production in West Bengal.
Therefore, immediate management intervention should be made for the long
term use of fishery resources.
West Bengal Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1993 and Rules, 1995
In WB-MFRA, the more significant concern is given to the management
and control of fishing harbours and fish landing centres and licensing. The
zones are demarcated for mechanised and non-mechanised vessels into four
zones (non-mechanised up to 9 m and more than 9 m length-up to 8 km and
8-20 km respectively, whereas mechanised vessels with LOA up to 15 m and
more than 15m-20-50 m and beyond 50 m).
8. Andhra Pradesh-MFRA, 1994
Andhra Pradesh (AP) is one of the south-eastern provinces of India,
having a coastline of 974 km, which is 12% of the Indian coastline. The
average width of the continental shelf ranges from 32- 43 km and has an area
of 33227 km2.
Andhra Pradesh Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act, 1994 and Rules, 1995
In order to maintain fishing regulation at sea and achieve sustainability,
the state government enacted AP MFRA in 1994 and rules in 1995. According
to the rule, fishing in closed season and shrimp trawler without Turtle
Excluder Device is liable to a fine of ₹2500 with confiscation of all the catch.
Net operation of mechanised vessels is also liable for the same fine.

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 The AP-MFRA is not amended after it is enacted; however, certain
recommendations are suggested based on CMFRI studies [5]. In order to
maintain fishing regulation at sea, achieve sustainability, and minimise
poverty within the fishing community along the Andhra Pradesh coast, the AP
MFRA should be revised as needed and as time passes.
9. Gujarat-GFA, 2003
Gujarat has the longest coastline of more than 1600 km in India, covering
nearly 24.5% of the Indian coastal length. It has a continental shelf of 1.84
million km2 and an EEZ of 2.14 km2. The state's coastline sustains a vast
human population reliant on the state's abundant coastal and marine resources
and ecosystem services that contribute to economic prosperity. It is a
significant maritime power with a long trading history in the Arabian Sea.
Though the state's fish consumption is relatively low, it does have some
distinct challenges that demand immediate attention. It is also critical to
safeguard the safety and well-being of the fishers who work along the Gujarat
coast.
The Gujarat Fisheries Act, 2003
The Gujarat Fisheries Act, 2003 and the Gujarat Fisheries Rules, 2003
have been enacted to provide for the protection, conservation, development
and regulation of fisheries in inland and territorial waters of Gujarat.
In the GFA, 2003 (hereinafter referred to as “the principal Act”)
mentioned, “Crossing of notional Indo-Pak International Maritime Boundary
Line” means an act of fishing vessel entering any area in the “No Fishing
Zone” as notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 4th May, 1993 which is
situated within the territorial waters”.
Gujarat Govt. issued an Ordinance, it is necessary to take strict action
against erring fishermen and boat owners, who stray into Pakistani waters for
(Pomfret) lalpari fish and eventually get caught by the authorities there.
According to the Gujarat fisheries Act (GFA), 2003, fishing, selling and
keeping custody of the “Juvenile fishes” is illegal/punishable. However GFA,
act does not defined what is juvenile fish and the minimum size of fishes that
comes under Juvenile fishes. This casual approach is major reason for the
growth of overfishing that increasing in the case of commercially important
fishes like pomfret, seer fishes, perches, Ribbon Fish, Tuna, Catfish
Threadfins, Croakers, Bombay duck, Ribbonfish, Cuttlefish, and squids. Lack
of uniformity in MFRAs & less attention paid to the conservation measure
need to be addressed properly by making suitable amendments to related legal
documents.

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 Gujarat Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2011.
Gujarat Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2020.
Gujarat Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
 Penalises unscrupulous.
 Persons who enter or pass through the state's territorial waters for
fishing and any other improper activities through the sea route will
be punished
 Fishing boats from other states entered into the territorial water of the
state shall be punished with a fine of up to Rs. 1 Lakh.
Union Territories
1. Union Territory: Daman and DIU
It is a union territory in west India, consisting of 2 separate areas divided
by the Arabian Sea. Also, it has a coastline of 42.5 Km with 11 marine fishing
villages (six in Daman, five in Diu). Following regulations are enacted for the
sustainable management of fisheries and the marine resources in the territorial
waters of Daman and Diu.
Daman and Diu Marine Fishing Regulation Act (DDMFRA), 1980 and
rules, 1982
Daman and Diu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1980 and Rules, 1982.
The Legislative Assembly of Goa enacted DDMFRA to regulate fishing-by-
fishing vessels in the sea along the coastline of the Union territory of Daman
and Diu. Some specific rules are listed under this act,
 Mesh size limits of 20mm. for prawn and 24mm. for fish.
 Area reserved for traditional vessels- Artisanal up 5km.
 Mechanised boats beyond 5 km.
The DDMFRA and rules got amended in 2010 and, 1989, 2018,
respectively. The Daman and Diu Marine Fishing Regulation (Amendment)
Rules, 2018 included the prohibition of Purse seine and other destructive
fishing methods as given below;
1. Fishing by purse seine/ring fishing is prohibited in the territorial
waters up to 12 nautical miles from the coast/shore in Daman & Diu.
2. Fishing by a destructive fishing method, including bull or pair
trawling, is prohibited in territorial waters of Daman & Diu.

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2. Union Territory: Lakshadweep Island
Lakshadweep is a tropical archipelago made up of 36 atolls with a
coastline of 132 kilometres and an EEZ of 4 00,000 square kilometres. Eleven
islands and reef areas were the focus of fishing activities. In Lakshadweep, a
marine fishing law was enacted to safeguard marine fisheries resources and
restrict foreign vessels from conducting fishing activities in Island seas.
Lakshadweep Marine fishing Regulation (LMFR), 2000 and Rules, 2001
The LMFR, 2000, is enacted to regulate fishing by fishing vessels in the
lagoons and sea around the Union territory of Lakshadweep and survey vessels
belonging to the Central Government. The Administration is exempted from
this regulation. In 2001, the Lakshadwccp Marine fishing Regulation Rules
were implemented, and they were mainly concerned about the mesh size
regulation of purse seine, ring seine, gill net, shore seine, pelagic, mid-water
and bottom trawls. In 2021, the Lakshadweep Marine fishing Regulation was
amended with the following changes,
 The vessel is required to hold a certificate to be issued by the
Mercantile Marine Department of the Central Government for
operation.
 Recreational or sport fishing rules concerning fisheries Monitoring,
Control and surveillance.
 Fish and fishery products shall be processed, and ice plants and cold
storage can be established for fish storage in the Lakshadweep after
obtaining a permit from the Department of Fisheries.
3. Union Territory: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar islands cover 26.10% of the Indian coast
length (1,962 km), 6.60% of the total Indian continental shelf (35,000 Km2)
and 29.70% of the total Indian EEZ (6,00,000 Km2) with 16 landing centres,
134 fishing villages and 7,034 licensed fishers supporting the fisheries in A &
N Islands. Due to rapidly rising tourism activities and market demands, intense
competition could result in heavy fishing pressure on pelagic and demersal
fisheries, resource conflicts, and unsustainable fishing practices in the A & N
Islands [6].
Andaman & Nicobar Islands Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act, 2003 and
Rules, 2004
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act, 2003
governed and regulated marine fishing with fishing vessels in the Andaman

Page | 15
and Nicobar Island waterways. To carry out the terms of the ANMFRA, 2003,
the A & N islands Marine Fishing Rules were adopted in 2004, and the
sustainable methodologies were adopted by amending the rules. The
amendments are viz. A & N islands marine fishing rules 2005, 2007, 2009,
2010, 2014, 2017 and 2019. These amendments were pointed out that
definitions for adjudicating officer, authorised officer requirements to request
a fishing licence, fishing of any unprotected with fees, classification and class
of fishing vessels and type of gear/mesh size can be used in Specified fishing
areas and authorised agencies for the issuance of various certifications.
4. Union Territory: Pondicherry
Pondicherry is a union territory in India with a 45km of long coastline
that contains the regions of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe.
Pondicherry has enacted marine fishing regulations to govern many aspects of
marine fishing, such as vessel registration, issuing fishing licenses, and
implementing measures aimed at conserving and sustainable utilisation of the
rich marine resources.
Pondicherry Marine Fishing Regulation act, 2008 and Rules, 2009
According to Pondicherry Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 2008,
mechanised fishing vessels are only permitted from 5 A.M to 9 P.M. to
operate. Such mechanised fishing vessels should remain at the notified place
of birth or anchoring till 5 A.M. of the following day. In 2009, the Pondicherry
Marine Fishing Regulation Rules were implemented, and they prohibited
fishing by pair trawling, purse-seine net, operation of bottom trawling within
three nautical miles of the coast and using of a gill net in the passage
designated for mechanised fishing vessels by the non-mechanised fishing
vessels and permitted hook and line fishing and boat seine operation within
three nautical miles using non-mechanised fishing vessels.
Table 1.4: Marine Fishing Regulation Act of the maritime states and the UTs,
demarcated fishing areas for mechanised and un-motorised vessels, and mesh size
restrictions. OAL: overall length, GRT: gross register tonnage, nm: nautical miles,
km: kilo meters [7, 8].

Area reservation Gear regulations

MFRA of the
Traditional Mechanised (Mesh size restrictions- must
States and UTs
Vessels Vessels not be less than)
Cod end of trawl net: Fish 35
< 25 GRT: 10-20
mm & shrimp 25mm
km
Kerala, 1980 Up to 10km Seine net: Anchovy 10mm &
> 25 GRT:
sardine/mackerel 22 mm
beyond 25 km
Gill net: Sardine 33mm &

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 mackerel 50 mm
24 mm of any net for catching
Goa, 1980 Up to 5 km Beyond 5 km fish
20 mm for catching prawns
Up to 5 - 10
Beyond 10
Maharashtra,1981 fathoms 35 mm cod end of trawl net
fathoms depth
depth
< 15 m OAL:
beyond 5 km;
Orissa,1981 Up to 5 km > 15m OAL&25
GRT: beyond 10
km
25 mm for gillnet
40 mm cod end of the fish trawl
Tamil Nadu, 1983 Up to 5 km Beyond 5 km net
37 mm cod end of the shrimp
trawl net
< 15m OAL:
Up to 6 km /
beyond 6 km.
Karnataka, 1986 Up to 4 30 mm cod end of trawl net
>15m OAL:
fathoms
beyond 20km
Vessels > 9 m -
Vessels less up to 20km but
West Bengal,
than9 m - up beyond 8 km
1993
to 8 km Vessels > 15 m -
beyond 50 km
Less than 15m
OAL: 23 km;
Andhra Pradesh, 15 mm of any net for catching
Up to 8 km Greater than 15m
1994 fish
OAL or 25 GRT:
beyond 23 km
Up to 5 nm
Gujarat, 2003 Beyond 9 km 40 mm cod end of trawl net
(9.3km)
20mm for prawns and 24mm
Daman and Diu,
Up to 5 km Beyond 5 km for fish
1980

20 mm of Purse seine, ring

Lakshadweep, Up to 10 km.
Beyond 10 km seine and trawl
2000
50 mm of gill net
Trawl nets of standard mesh
size (> 35 mm) with turtle
Andaman and
< 30 HP: up excluder device
Nicobar Islands, > 30 HP: beyond
to 10 km. 20 mm of any net for catching
2003 10 km
fish
25 mm of gill nets, shore seines
and dragnets
Union Territory of Up to 3 miles Beyond 3 miles 37 m for gill net

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Pondicherry, 2008 (4.8 km) (4.8 km) 37 m for trawl net
75 mm for wings & 40 mm
cod-end for fish trawl nets.

What is fishing (Trawl) Ban?

Trawl ban is the prohibition of fishing using mechanised vessels like
trawlers during the monsoon season, which is considered the breeding and pre-
recruitment period of most commercially important species [9]. In India,
fishing and selling of threatened fish species, molluscs, sea turtles, and marine
mammals are banned. The trawl ban in fisheries is one of the management
measures to regulate the fishery and the conservation of the marine resources.
In 2011, the first time the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and
Fisheries (DAHAF) recommended a uniform ban on fishing by mechanised
fishing vessels in India to conserve and effectively manage fishing resources
and sea safety. In 2015, based on the recommendations of the technical
committee of scientists from CMFRI, the Union Agriculture Ministry had
resolved to increase the fishing ban period from 45-47 days to 61 days along
both the east and west coasts of India. In 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare (DAHDF), Govt of India, notified the fishing uniform ban
period in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond territorial waters
on the East Coast, including the Andaman & Nicobar Island and West Coast
including Lakshadweep Island, is depicted in (Fig.2). However, the state like
Kerala, the fishing ban is followed only for 52 days (9th June to 31st July),
which were set by the scientific study of several factors like the onset of
monsoon, fish migration pattern, breeding behaviour and socio-economic
aspects.

Fig 2: Annual fishing ban in the east and west coast of Indian Maritime states

Page | 18
What is Malthusian overfishing?
Daniel Pauly proposed the concept of Malthusian overfishing in 1988,
and it is further modified by Pauly et al. [10] and Pauly [11]. Generally, it is
described as a situation that arises "when poor fishermen, faced with declining
catches and lacking any other alternative, engage in wholesale resource
destruction to maintain their incomes". The major causes of Malthusian
overfishing are excess of fishers over available resources, the inability of
fishers to move to other forms of employment, facing resource decline, and
lack of alternative employment opportunities. According to Pauly [12], the
critical component in a strategy to prevent it is to allow women to control the
number of children they want to have.
Conclusion and Summary
Marine fisheries are dynamic and always prone to change in tune with the
changing demands, challenges, technological advancement etc., as is evident
in the modification of fishing crafts and fishing gear, the extension of fishing
ground, the emergence of new resources, collapse and disappearance of
certain resources and new forms of market demands. The overall results of
such changes have both positive and negative impacts on the fishery. This
necessitates continuous monitoring and interventions to ensure the fishery's
sustainability and conservation of the resources. However, increasing fishing
pressure has led to over-exploitation of marine resources that have reached an
optimum level. The depletion of marine fisheries and stocks is adversely
affected by an increase in juvenile fishing & discards.
The present-day scenario is controlled by various sets of enactments that
most effective for the marine fishing industry. Following legislations include
the Maritime Zones Act (1976), which recognises the sovereign rights to
conservation & management of living resources in the Indian EEZ. Another
vital regulation governing the marine fisheries is the Maritime Zones of India
(Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act (1981) and Rules (1982).
MFR (regulation) Bill, 1978 was formulated after the EEZ declaration.
This Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1978 (MFRAs) mainly focuses on
regulating fishing vessels in the territorial water. MFRAs have been found
effective to a great extent in regulating fishing activities. A few regulatory
management measures are listed here for the sustained development of Indian
marine fisheries,
1. Controlling the type/level of inputs/ fishing efforts
2. Optimum fleet size with regulated fishing effort

Page | 19
 3. Regulation of the number of trawl units in inshore waters reduces
excessive fishing pressure
4. Control on use of mesh size for the cod end of a trawl net to reduce
juvenile catch and prevent growth overfishing
5. Provision of adequate subsidy to the trawl units which observe multi-
day fishing in deeper waters
6. A blanket ban of certain types of destructive fishing gears, mesh-size
regulations, hook-size controls, turtle exclusion devices (TED), ban
of fish aggregating devices (FADs)
7. Addition of bigger trawlers suitable for fishing in deep waters
8. Creation of an alteration financial system to replace the existing
marketing linked credit system controlled by fish merchants
9. Increased attention to estimation of offish landings and stock size for
proper policy formulation
10. Improved Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) of vessels
11. Control of coastal pollution
12. Restoration of marine habitat through Artificial Reefs (AR)
13. Minimum Legal Size (MLS) of major commercial marine species
Recommended Management Measures:
 Control indiscriminate harvest of juveniles and uncontrolled
exploitation of non-edible resources
 Reduce the juvenile domination, and introduce square mesh instead
of the existing diamond mesh in the cod end of trawlers
 Implement minimum legal size for the commercially important
resources
 Impose appropriate monetary fines on the merchants who purchase
the juveniles
 Local agreement by the trawl owners not to bring the by-catch to the
landing centre will be more effective
 Prohibit pair trawling/ bull trawling and ring net
 Prohibit stake net/Chinese fishing net of Kerala because it’s one of
the most un-eco-friendly or destructive fishing gear.
 Provide facilitate escapement of juvenile fishes from trawl net.
 Promote to fishermen for using TED in Trawl net.
 Make rules for prohibition of juvenile fishes in Gujarat.

Page | 20
 As no management measure can be implemented without the full
cooperation of the stakeholders, especially the fisher folks, participatory and
ecosystem-based fisheries management practices are suggested. For the
effective implementation and management of practices as mentioned above,
forming the village & panchayat level, district level and state level
management councils involving the fishermen/fishers leaders in addition to
other stakeholders such as representatives from the fishing industry,
merchants, NGOs, scientists from research institutes and students/research
scholars for better management strategies and to keep the fisheries at a
sustainable level.
References
1. CMFRI. Annual Report. Cochin: Central Marine Fisheries Research
Institute, Kochi, Kerala, 2020, 294.
2. Sajeevan MK. Legislation and management of marine fishery in India-
Challenges ahead. Fishing chimes. 2014;34:49-53.
3. Soumya HB, Shah PJ. Briefing Paper on Fisheries Policy Resource Rights
of Individuals and Communities, In: The Terracotta Summit Beyond
NEP: Institutions, Incentives and Communities. Centre for Civil Society,
2004, 20.
4. Suyani NK, Vandarwala UG, Singh MK, Verma SK. Marine Fish
Landings of Karnataka, India: A Review. Austin journal of aquaculture
and marine biology. 2020;3(1):1007.
5. Menon M, Ghosh S, Mini KG, Divipala I, Behera PR, Edward L, et al.
Policy guidance on sustaining the marine fisheries of Andhra Pradesh.
CMFRI Marine Fisheries Policy Series No. 9. Kerala, India: ICAR-
CMFRI, 2018, 62.
6. Kiruba-Sankar R, Krishnan P, George G, Kumar KL, Angel J, Saravanan
K, et al. Fisheries governance in the tropical archipelago of Andaman and
Nicobar-opinions and strategies for sustainable management. Journal of
Coastal Conservation. 2021;25(1):1-13.
7. Bhathal B. Government-led development of India's marine fisheries since
1950: catch and effort trends and bio-economic models for exploring
alternative policies. Doctoral dissertation, University of British,
Columbia, 2014, 355.
8. Rajesh KM. Fishery’s legislation in India. In: Training Manual-Impact of
Aggregating Devices on Cuttlefish fishery. CMFRI, Mangalore Research
Centre, 2013, 41-49.

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9. Salim SS. Monsoon trawl ban and its effects on the livelihood of trawl
labourers: the case with Versova Fishing Village in Maharashtra. Journal
of the Indian Fisheries Association. 2007;34:115-122.
10. Pauly D, Chua Thia-Eng. The overfishing of marine resources: socio-
economic background in Southeast Asia. A journal of Environment and
society. 1988;17(3):200-206.
11. Pauly D. On Malthusian overfishing. Naga: the ICLARM
quarterly. 1990;13(1):3-4.
12. Pauly D. From growth to Malthusian overfishing: stages of fisheries
resources misuse. Traditional Marine Resource Management and
Knowledge Information Bulletin. 1993;3:7-14.
13. Ayyappan S, Jena JK, Gopalakrishnan A, Pandey AK. Handbook of
fisheries and aquaculture, 2006.

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