ReALCRaft Portal
Recently, the government notified rules for “Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone” and an Access Pass required for mechanized and large-sized motorized vessels can be obtained through the online ReALCRaft portal.
About ReALCRaft Portal
The ReALCRaft Portal (Registration And Licensing of Fishing Craft) is a national online platform developed by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, to provide transparent, web-based services for marine fishers and coastal states/UTs across India.
It is designed to streamline the registration and licensing of fishing vessels, facilitate ownership transfers, and related processes, aiming for efficiency, transparency, accountability, and enhanced security in vessel management.
Key Features
- The portal offers digital access for mechanized and large-sized motorized fishing vessel owners to apply for free Access Passes required for operations in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Small-scale and traditional fishers operating motorized or non-motorized crafts are exempt from this requirement, safeguarding their interests and simplifying compliance.
- Applications can be submitted with minimal documentation and tracked in real-time, making the system efficient and user-friendly, eliminating the need for physical office visits.
- Integration with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Export Inspection Council (EIC) enables seamless issuance of Fish Catch and Health Certificates—crucial for seafood exports to premium international markets.
- End-to-end traceability, sanitary compliance, and eco-labelling are assured, boosting the competitiveness of Indian marine products globally.
- Security features include mandatory transponders for deep-sea vessels and QR-coded Aadhaar/Fishers ID cards for identification; integration with the Nabhmitra Application supports safe navigation and coastal security.
- Real-time communication with fishermen at sea is facilitated through ISRO integration.
Policy, Coverage, and Impact
- As of now, around 2.38 lakh fishing vessels from 13 coastal states and UTs are registered on the portal, including both motorized and non-motorized crafts; approximately 64,000 mechanized vessels require Access Passes.
- The portal supports regulatory reforms—fish caught from India's EEZ are now recognized as 'Indian origin,' helping align export norms and customs procedures to benefit the sector.
- Harmful fishing practices including LED light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling are banned by new EEZ rules, emphasizing sustainability.
- Emphasis is placed on empowering coastal communities, particularly through cooperative societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), with added support for credit access and training initiatives under government schemes such as PMMSY and FIDF.
- Foreign fishing vessels are entirely barred from obtaining EEZ access passes through this system, strengthening local livelihoods and coastal security.
Summary Table
| Area |
Details |
| Launch/Developer |
Dept. of Fisheries, Govt. of India |
| Main Purpose |
Vessel registration, licensing, access pass management |
| Coverage |
2.38 lakh+ vessels, 13 coastal States, UTs |
| Exemptions |
Small/traditional crafts from Access Pass requirement |
| Security Features |
Transponders, QR-coded ID, Nabhmitra app connectivity |
| Export Facilitation |
Integrated MPEDA/EIC, Fish Catch/Health Certificates |
| Policy Focus |
Blue economy, sustainable practices, coastal empowerment |
| Barred Entities |
Foreign vessels not permitted |
The ReALCRaft Portal is a transformative step in digitalizing and regulating India’s marine fisheries sector, modernizing governance while promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.
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