The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying laid out how India protects traditional fishing rights and livelihoods through coastal zonation, enforcement against mechanised incursion, and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) support measures. The key idea is to reserve nearshore space for artisanal and non-mechanized fishing, police reserved zones through joint patrolling, and reduce fishing pressure through conservation rules and a seasonal ban in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

What happened: government measures combining regulation, enforcement, and PMMSY support

The government response described an integrated approach across three layers: (i) legal zonation under coastal State Marine Fishing Regulation Acts, (ii) enforcement partnerships with authorities such as the Indian Coast Guard, and (iii) PMMSY-linked monitoring and welfare during conservation actions.

Background and earlier position: zonation up to the coastal baseline and traditional nearshore exclusivity

Fisheries up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline are governed by coastal States under their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs). Under these MFRAs, many coastal States and Union Territories reserve fishing zones for different categories of fishing vessels.

Near-shore waters, generally up to 5 to 10 kilometres from the shore, are described as exclusively reserved for artisanal and non-mechanized traditional fishing vessels. The government stated that this model protects traditional livelihoods, minimizes gear conflicts, and prevents resource overexploitation.

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