Lok Sabha Question No. 1617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Vessel Monitoring System
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †1617 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  FEBRUARY 2026

## Vessel Monitoring System

## †1617. SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether any Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) or satellite-based tracking mechanism has been implemented by the Government to curb prohibited fishing practices such as purse seine nets and bull trawling;
- (b)  if so. the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof
- (c)   the proposals of the Government to implement the said mechanism and the timeline fixed for its implementation on the ground; and
- (d)  the  number  of  joint  patrolling  conducted  by  the  Coast  Guard  and  the  Fisheries Department in the last one year to prevent prohibited fishing practices and the number of  illegal  vessels  apprehended  and  fine  imposed  during  such  patrols  including  the reasons for not taking any action against them and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING: (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a)  to  (c)  The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Government  of  India  under  the Pradhan  Mantri Matsya  Sampada  Yojana (PMMSY),  has  approved  a  project  'National  Rollout  Plan  for Vessel  Communication  and  Support  System  (VCSS)'  for  installation  of  indigenously developed  transponders  on  one  lakh  marine  fishing  vessels  covering  mechanized  and motorized vessels of all 13 coastal states and UTs with an outlay of Rs. 364 Crores. Vessel Communication and Support System is being implemented with technical support of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The VCSS  in a satellite based two-way communication  system,  which  helps  the  fishers  out  at  sea  for  sea-safety  and  security, provides  alerts  during  adverse  weather  conditions,  'No  Fishing  Zones',    International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with geo-fencing and integration with the Nabhmitra App . The VCSS project envisages to cover one lakh vessels and pan-India coverage. Till date, more than 49,000 transponders have already been installed in the coastal States/UTs under this project.

The Government of India has prohibited the harmful fishing methods such as bull trawling or pair  trawling  and  use  of  artificial  lights  or  LED  lights  for  fishing  in  the  Indian  Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). While purse seine fishing is prohibited by some coastal states/UTs in their territorial waters, this method of fishing is allowed by some other states/UTs in their territorial waters. As far as, the EEZ beyond territorial waters is concerned, considering the recommendations of the Expert Committee the purse seine fishing is not prohibited in the

EEZ area beyond the territorial waters. (d) Enforcement of fishing regulations, including action against prohibited fishing practices is primarily undertaken by the State/UT Governments under the respective Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRAs). All the maritime States/UTs have been advised to take necessary steps  including  habour  based  monitoring  of  fishing  vessels,  issuance  of  necessary Government  Orders  to  prevent  harmful  fishing  within  and  beyond  the  territorial  waters, monitoring by patrol vessels and drones, and to take punitive actions against the violators as  per  the  provisions  of  their  respective  State  MFRAs.  As  such  no  joint  patrolling  is conducted by State Fisheries Departments & Coast Guard. However, the Coast Guard ships on their  routine  patrol,  monitor  and  report  the  prohibited  fishing  activities  undertaken  by fishing boats at sea to the concerned State Fisheries Authorities for taking necessary action. The action against illegal fishing activities include seizure of fishing boats, gears, imposition of penalties, or prosecution, is taken by the competent State authorities as per the MFRAs and other applicable laws.

*****