Fisherfolk associations have opposed the Centre’s move to permit large vessels for deep-sea fishing through an access pass system, warning that it could open India’s seas to large companies at the expense of small-scale fishers. | Photo Credit: SURESHKUMAR C

Protest is brewing among fisherfolk over the Centre’s move to permit large vessels for deep-sea fishing under the guise of issuing an access pass to boats.

Charles George, president of the All India Deep Sea Fishers Association, has raised concerns at a workshop related to granting access passes to vessels and boats. Access passes are provided free of cost to trawl boats. However, deep-sea vessels operating beyond 200 nautical miles have to pay ₹25,000 for access passes. It is not fair to charge fees for these vessels, which are only 20 metres long and part of the small-scale sector.

The association urged the authorities to provide relaxation for this category, he said.

They have also asked the State government to respond to the Centre’s move to open India’s seas to large companies in the name of cooperative societies after recording the views of associations representing fish workers.

Joseph Xavier Kalapurackal, general secretary of the Federation of Fishing Boats and Fishery Industries of Kerala, said that the meeting convened by the Fisheries Survey of India to streamline the new Deep Sea Fishing in EZZ and beyond could not address any of the concerns regarding the Monsoon Fishing Ban and its strict observance.

The Federation alleged that more than 3,000 fibre boats fitted with twin 50 HP engines from Tamil Nadu are engaged in deep-sea fishing, defeating the very purpose of the monsoon fishing ban.

CMFRI studies state that fishing by these boats would make the sea and the territorial waters ennui once the fishing ban is lifted, the Federation said. The Central Government’s fish conservation intentions are thwarted by these marauding fibre boats.

The Federation sought the State Fisheries Minister’s intervention in the matter and took steps to prevent fibre boats from fishing during the monsoon ban period.

Published on July 17, 2026