The Government of India has officially approved a ₹364 crore plan to modernize the country’s fishing fleet. Under the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS), 100,000 mechanised and motorized fishing vessels will be equipped with satellite-based transponders.
Developed with support from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), these transponders enable two-way satellite communication.
For a fisherman out at deep sea, this is a lifeline. It connects them to the Nabhmitra App, providing real time weather alerts and crucial warnings about “No Fishing Zones.” Perhaps most importantly for border safety, the system uses geo-fencing to alert crews if they are getting too close to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
According to the Department of Fisheries, over 49,000 transponders have already been installed across coastal states and Union Territories. The goal is to cover the remaining fleet to reach the 1 lakh target soon.
The government also used this announcement to clarify the rules on sustainable fishing a key compliance issue for the seafood export industry.
- Prohibited: Bull trawling, pair trawling, and using artificial LED lights in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- Allowed (Conditional): Purse seine fishing is permitted in the EEZ (beyond territorial waters), though some states ban it within their local jurisdiction.