Supreme Court Directs Tamil Nadu on Fishing Vessel Transit Rules

The Supreme Court of India on 2 September 2026 directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame rules for a specified channel for fishing vessels to transit through territorial waters to the Exclusive Economic Zone. The bench comprised Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, and the matter concerned access for vessels carrying purse seine nets.

Territorial Waters and Exclusive Economic Zone

India’s territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline, and the Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea framework. Fishing within 12 nautical miles in Tamil Nadu is regulated by the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Rules, 2020, while offshore fishing beyond 12 nautical miles is governed by the central Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025.

Article 19(1)(g) and Fishing Rights

Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution protects the right to practise any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business. The Court stated that delay in processing access passes can create an unwritten ban when applications remain pending without a formal prohibition.

ReALCRaft Portal and Permit Processing

The ReALCRaft Portal is used for processing fishing-related permissions in Tamil Nadu. As of 3 August 2026, 226 of 257 applications remained stalled, and only six permits had been granted.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Exclusive Economic Zone is a maritime zone where a coastal state has sovereign rights for exploring and exploiting marine resources.
• Purse seine nets are large encircling nets used in commercial fishing for catching schooling fish.
• Cooperative federalism refers to coordination between the Union and State governments in areas of shared administrative responsibility.
• The Supreme Court disposed of petitions filed by Fisherman Care and individual fishermen seeking access to offshore waters.

Maritime Regulation in India

India regulates coastal fishing through state marine fishing laws and offshore fishing through central rules for the Exclusive Economic Zone. The Court asked the Union and State administrations to ensure coordinated clearance of fishing permits.