Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-17022025-261101
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 822]
NEW DELHI, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2025/MAGHA 28, 1946
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 14th February, 2025
Guidelines for specialised fishing vessels for fishing operations in the Southern Ocean.
S.O. 826(E).-—Whereas, India is a permanent member of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic
Marine Living Resources;
And whereas, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (herein referred to
as the Commission), was established under the Antarctic Treaty System with the objective of conserving Antarctic
marine living resources and its management by implementing a set of comprehensive conservation measures which
includes sustainable utilisation of such resources;
And whereas, for the sustainable harvesting of fisheries, the Convention area has been divided into areas, sub-
areas and divisions with member States issuing licence, permit or authorisation to their flagged vessels detailing the
specific areas, species and time periods for which fishing is authorised by the Commission;
And whereas, recognising that the Southern Ocean is predominantly home to two major types of fisheries,
namely, (i) toothfish and (ii) krill, each requiring specialised fishing vessels and unique fishing methods;
And whereas, only those fishing vessels, which comply with the requirements stipulated by the Commission,
inter-alia, may be licensed, permitted or authorised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to carry out harvesting of fisheries
in the Southern Ocean, for a specific period in a year;
And whereas, the Government of India aims to enhance the participation of Indian entities in the exploration
of the aforesaid fisheries in the Southern Ocean, with the dual objectives of advancing research capabilities and
contributing to the country's economic development;
And whereas, no Indian fishing vessel is suitable for undertaking fishing in the Southern Ocean or has the
certification or approval necessary for being considered compliant for harvesting fisheries in the Southern Ocean;
And whereas, certain Indian entities have expressed desire to charter one or more of such fishing vessels, which
comply with the requirements of the Commission, to participate either in harvesting of toothfish or krill fishery and
have requested the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to allow such vessel be registered in India and operate
under the Indian Flag for the duration of such charter;
And whereas, the participation by Indian entities in harvesting of fisheries in the Southern Ocean may not only
add to India's efforts in furthering the objectives of the Commission but also contribute in augmentation of the blue
economy of the country.
2. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (c) of section 435 B of the Merchant Shipping Act
1958 (44 of 1958), the Central Government, hereby specifies, every vessel certified to operate in the Southern Ocean
(herein referred to as specialised fishing vessel), used solely for fishing, to be a fishing boat for the purposes of this
section, subject to the following conditions, namely:-
(a) the specialised fishing vessel, being bareboat chartered by Indian entities, shall have carried out harvesting
of fisheries in the Southern Ocean for at least one fishing season out of the last five seasons;
(b) there shall not be any restraint in respect to the nationality of the owner, whose specialised fishing vessel is
being chartered;
(c) the specialised fishing vessel shall comply with the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 and
the rules and regulations made thereunder in respect to safety, security and environment protection, and
with other international instruments as required by the Commission in its application to harvesting of
fisheries in the Southern Ocean, including the requirement of other applicable law;
(d) the specialised fishing vessel must not be included in the Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Vessel List
for the year of fishing; and
(e) at least 25% of crew employed on such vessels shall be Indian nationals.
Explanation. - For the purposes of this notification, the expression “Convention area” means area specified by the
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources to be the Convention area.
[F. No. SR-23011/10/2024-MG]
RAJESH KUMAR SINHA, Addl. Secy.