Odisha Set to Introduce New Marine Fisheries Law with Focus on Safety, Deep-Sea Fishing

Bhubaneswar: Seeking to modernise marine fisheries governance and strengthen coastal livelihoods, the Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved repeal of the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982 and cleared a proposal for a new legislation aimed at sustainable development of the sector.

The proposed Odisha Marine Fishing (Prohibition and Regulation) Bill, 2026 will introduce a broader regulatory framework covering deep-sea fishing, mariculture activities and advanced coastal monitoring systems, officials said.

The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department informed that the existing Act, enacted over four decades ago, no longer adequately addressed emerging challenges in marine fisheries management, technological advancements and coastal security requirements.

Under the new framework, the government plans to promote modern marine-based economic activities including seaweed cultivation, marine cage culture and installation of artificial reefs to improve fish resources and regenerate coastal ecosystems.

The legislation also proposes integrated development and modernisation of fishing harbours and fish landing centres along Odisha’s coastline to improve infrastructure, create jobs and support fishing communities.

Officials said the Bill places special emphasis on fishermen’s safety by mandating use of advanced communication and tracking equipment such as transponders, Very High Frequency (VHF) radios and Vessel Tracking and Monitoring Systems (VTMS) in fishing vessels.

The proposed law further includes provisions for Aadhaar-linked biometric or QR-code identification systems and improved insurance coverage for fishermen operating in marine waters.

To prevent Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, stricter provisions relating to vessel licensing, fishing gear regulation and prohibition of destructive fishing practices have been incorporated in the Bill.

The government said the legislation would help protect traditional fishermen while strengthening conservation, monitoring and sustainable utilisation of marine resources.

Officials stated that the proposed law is aligned with Odisha’s Blue Economy strategy and “Viksit Odisha Vision 2036-2047”, with a focus on expanding seafood exports and promoting sustainable marine industries.

The state has set a target of achieving seafood exports worth ₹25,000 crore by 2036 through modernization and expansion of the marine fisheries sector.

“The proposed legislation seeks to balance economic growth with conservation of marine ecosystems while ensuring better livelihood opportunities and safety for fishermen,” the government said.