The Odisha government on Wednesday approved a new marine fishing law mandating transceivers, high frequency (VHF) radios and Aadhaar biometric identification for fishermen, while imposing stricter restrictions on illegal and unregulated fishing.
The proposed Odisha Marine Fishing (Prohibition and Regulation) Bill, 2026 will replace the 43-year-old Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, and will expand the scope of regulation to include deep sea fishing, coastal security and marine environment conservation.
The state cabinet, which met on Wednesday, approved the repeal of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, and replacing it with the Odisha Marine Fishing (Prohibition and Regulation) Bill, 2026.
Officials said the four-decade-old law was limited in scope and insufficient to address emerging challenges, including coastal and national security.
“The 1982 Act did not cover deep-sea fishing, marine resource conservation, coastal security, or the growing threat of unauthorized entry into territorial waters by foreign fishing vessels. The new draft law seeks to expand regulatory coverage to deep-sea fishing operations and promote mariculture activities such as sea cage farming, seaweed farming and deployment of artificial coral reefs to rejuvenate territorial waters,” Chief Secretary Anu Garg said, adding that the government has set a goal of $25,000 crore seafood exports by 2036.
Among the most important additions to the new draft law is a set of mandatory safety and monitoring requirements. All fishing vessels will be required to carry VHF and VTMS transceivers and radio communications systems. Fishermen will also be required to carry biometric or QR-coded Aadhaar ID to enhance individual safety at sea and wider coastal surveillance.
The draft law additionally provides for enhanced insurance coverage for marine fishing workers.
The proposed bill introduces new licensing requirements, regulations on fishing gear, and completely bans destructive fishing practices. It also contains specific protections for traditional fishermen and strengthens the monitoring and enforcement framework to combat IUU fishing.
The bill also provides for modernization of fishing ports and fish landing centers along the Odisha coast under “Integrated Smart Green Infrastructure”.
