New Delhi, Nov. 18 -- The Centre notified the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rules to help fully tap the potential of its deep-sea resources, especially high-value fish species such as tuna,

The new rules accord priority to fishermen cooperative societies and fish farmer producer organizations (FFPOs) undertaking deep-sea fishing operations and running technologically advanced vessels in India's 2.3 million sq. km EEZ. The EEZ is an area that extends seawards to a maximum of 200 nautical miles from the baseline, or the low-water line along the coast.

This boost for 5 million fishermen across 13 coastal states and Union Territories comes in the backdrop of countries including Sri Lanka, the Maldi...