Tamil Nadu News

Tamil Nadu Fishing Regulation

September 5 , 2026 14 hrs 0 min 87 0

The Supreme Court directed Tamil Nadu to frame rules for fishing vessels using purse seine nets to transit from territorial waters to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Tamil Nadu must create a specified navigation channel under the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Rules, 2020 for vessels travelling to the EEZ.
The EEZ Rules, 2025 provide for access passes to fishing vessels permitted to operate in the EEZ, while the 2020 State Rules regulate fishing within Tamil Nadu’s territorial waters.
The Court held that the Union and Tamil Nadu have co-equal and autonomous powers to regulate fishing in their respective areas and called for co-operative federalism.
The Court directed Tamil Nadu to ensure timely clearance of applications for EEZ access passes.