The Government of India has introduced new rules to ensure the sustainable harnessing of fisheries within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Under these regulations, all mechanized and large motorized fishing vessels are now required to obtain an Access Pass before operating in Indian waters.
The Access Pass can be conveniently acquired through the ReALCRaft Portal — an acronym for Registration And Licensing of Fishing Craft.
This national online platform, developed by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, leverages open-source technology to streamline vessel registration and management.
ReALCRaft offers citizen-friendly web-based services that facilitate not only registration and licensing but also the transfer of vessel ownership.
The initiative represents a significant step toward digitizing India’s fisheries governance, ensuring transparency, traceability, and sustainability in marine resource utilization.