The Odisha cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved the Odisha Marine Fishing (Prohibition and Regulation) Bill, 2026 on Wednesday evening, replacing the four-decade-old Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982. According to reports from Business Standard, this new legislation introduces mandatory safety and surveillance requirements that were previously absent from the 1982 Act. The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department described the new legislation as a "robust, modern, and inclusive legal framework" designed to meet contemporary challenges that the 1982 Act could no longer address. The new regulation significantly expands the scope by bringing deep-sea fishing, mariculture and modern fisheries infrastructure under a comprehensive regulatory regime. The proposal, placed by the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, seeks to address emerging challenges in marine fisheries management, including conservation of marine resources, fishermen's safety, coastal security, technological advancements, and prevention of unauthorized entry of foreign fishing vessels into Odisha waters.
Among the most significant additions in the new Bill is a comprehensive set of mandatory safety and surveillance requirements that will revolutionize marine fisheries operations. All fishing vessels will be required to carry transponders, VHF radio communication systems and VTMS (Vessel Tracking and Monitoring Systems) to ensure real-time monitoring and tracking capabilities. Fishermen will also be required to carry biometric or QR-coded Aadhaar identification to bolster individual safety at sea and broader coastal surveillance. The Bill additionally mandates enhanced insurance coverage for those engaged in marine fishing to strengthen both personal safety and coastal surveillance. As per Business Standard, Chief Secretary Anu Garg emphasized that the new law is designed to ensure sustainable fisheries resource development coupled with immense economic benefits while protecting fishermen livelihood and marine ecosystem conservation. The legislation places significant emphasis on fishermen's safety and coastal security, with provisions relating to licensing, fishing gear regulation, and prohibition of destructive fishing practices.
The legislation is strategically aligned with the state government's Viksit Odisha Vision 2036-2047 and Odisha's emerging blue economy roadmap, particularly the deep-sea fishing mission. Anu Garg, chief secretary, stated that the new law is designed to ensure sustainable fisheries resource development coupled with immense economic benefits while protecting fishermen livelihood and marine ecosystem conservation. A senior government official emphasized that the legislation will ensure sustainable fisheries resource development clubbed with immense economic benefit while protecting the livelihood and safety of the fishermen in Odisha as well as conservation of marine ecosystem across the coast. The government expects the legislation to act as a catalyst for scaling up seafood exports and marine-based economic activities, with the new Bill laying the groundwork for smart, green, integrated infrastructure development, including the modernisation of fishing harbours and fish landing centres along Odisha's coastline. The enacted legislation also introduces stringent measures to curb Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, providing for strict regulation of fishing vessels, fishermen, and related activities, along with provisions for licensing, fishing gear regulation, and the prohibition of destructive fishing practices.
According to Business Standard, Odisha has emerged as one of India's key marine fisheries states with a coastline of about 575 km spread across six coastal districts and a continental shelf area of nearly 24,000 sq km. The state's marine ecosystem, enriched by major river systems including the Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani and Subarnarekha, supports a rich diversity of marine resources. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) estimates show that Odisha accounts for nearly 14 per cent of India's marine fisherfolk population despite having only around 6 per cent of the country's coastline. The new legislation dramatically expands the regulatory horizon by regulating deep-sea fishing, actively promoting mariculture activities such as marine cage culture, seaweed farming, and the deployment of artificial reefs to rejuvenate territorial waters. The Bill also envisages integrated infrastructure development through modernization and management of fishing harbours and fish landing centres along Odisha's coastline, with a focus on sustainable growth, livelihood generation, and employment opportunities. A high priority has been given in the new bill to the safety of coastal communities and coastal & national security.
As reported by Business Standard, the government has set an ambitious target of achieving ₹25,000 crore in seafood exports by 2036. The state's seafood export economy generated ₹4,708 crore in the current period, with per capita annual fish consumption reaching 19.16 kg, double the national average. Odisha stood fourth nationally with a total fish production of 1.2 million tonnes in 2024-25. About 5.2 lakh fisherfolk residing in nearly 739 marine fishing villages depend on the sector for livelihood, while around 1.2 lakh active fishermen and thousands of allied workers are directly engaged in marine fisheries activities. Officials are confident that the legislation will position Odisha as a major player in the national and international seafood market, with the new Bill laying the groundwork for smart, green, integrated infrastructure development, including the modernisation of fishing harbours and fish landing centres along Odisha's coastline. By prioritizing socio-economic upliftment and sustainable practices, the Bill will serve as a catalyst to facilitate and scale Odisha's seafood exports, scaling the marine fisheries sector towards this monumental milestone.
