Bhubaneswar: Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, has cleared a proposal to repeal the decades-old Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, and enact a new, modern legal framework under the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Bill, 2026.
Secretary Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development(FARD), Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhary placed the memorandum before the State Cabinet to address long-standing limitations in the 1982 Act, which was deemed inadequate to handle contemporary challenges like marine resource conservation, coastal security, fishermen’s safety, and the entry of unauthorized foreign fishing vessels. Minister FARD Shri Gokulananda Mallick piloted the proposal, which was cleared by the Cabinet, official sources said.
The newly approved legislation significantly expands the state’s regulatory scope to include deep-sea fishing and mariculture activities, such as marine cage culture, seaweed cultivation, and the deployment of artificial reefs to rejuvenate territorial waters. It also aims to modernize and manage fishing harbors and fish landing centers along the Odisha coast, promoting smart green integrated infrastructure development that supports local livelihoods and job creation.
Coastal security and national safety are given high priority in the new bill. The legislation mandates the use of modern communication and safety technologies, including transponders, Very High Frequency (VHF) radios, and Vessel Tracking and Monitoring Systems (VTMS). Additionally, provisions for mandatory biometric or QR-coded Aadhaar identification alongside enhanced insurance coverage are set to bolster fishermen’s security and coastal surveillance.
To combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, the bill introduces stringent licensing rules, fishing gear regulations, and a prohibition on destructive fishing practices, while safeguarding traditional fishers.
Strategically aligned with the Viksit Odisha Vision 2036-2047 and the state’s Blue Economy initiatives, the legislation seeks to strengthen marine governance. The state targets a monumental milestone of ₹25,000 crore in seafood exports by 2036 by scaling up the marine fisheries sector and prioritizing sustainable, socio-economic upliftment. Government officials noted that the new legislation will ensure sustainable development and immense economic benefits while simultaneously protecting the livelihoods of fishermen and conserving the marine ecosystem across the coast.