Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-28072025-265008
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 3386]
NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025/SHRAVANA 3, 1947
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(Department of Fisheries)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 24th July, 2025
S.O. 3463(E).—In pursuance of section 3 of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005 (24 of
2005), read with clause (p) of rule 3 of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Rules, 2024, the Central
Government hereby makes the following guidelines for notifying the aqua zones and aqua mapping, namely:-
1. Short title and commencement. - (1) These guidelines may be called the Guidelines for notifying the
Aqua Zones and Aqua Mapping, 2025.
(2) They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Aqua zonation and aqua mapping.- (1) The Authority and the State Government shall develop aqua
zonation and aqua mapping for environmentally sustainable coastal aquaculture.
(2) The aqua zoning and aqua mapping shall be developed by:-
(a) use of high-resolution geographic information system maps, integrated with land surveys,
sub-divisions, boundaries and land ownership merged with the land use map and regulatory
requirements;
(b) identifying and locating the potential areas, based on the following parameters, namely, the
water source such as the sea front, estuary, river, creek, backwater and the type of land
through the multi-criteria decision support system that is validated by the field surveys;
(c) defining broad zones suitable for different types of aquaculture and other allied activities or
species or stocking density or a combination of all in such zones to deter and abate any
environmental hazard.
3. Procedure of aqua zonation and mapping.- (1) The aquaculture zones for land-based aquaculture
and aquaculture in open water bodies shall be earmarked after considering the environmental suitability
and other resource use plans through spatial planning.
(2) Suitable zones for aquaculture shall be identified considering the present land use, extent of
utilisation of resources, carrying capacity of the source water bodies, site-specific water quality
parameters, soil quality and culture species.
(3) Agricultural lands, mangroves, wetlands, forest lands, flood-prone regions, water-holding area
during the rainy season, land meant for public purpose and ecologically sensitive areas like national
parks and sanctuaries or any land used for agriculture or horticulture shall not be converted to
aquaculture units.
(4) Aquaculture units in an aquaculture zone shall be regulated based on stocking density, cultivation
methods, carrying capacity, biosecurity, biodiversity, and other relevant parameters.
(5) Aquaculture units shall maintain buffer zones from other productive ecosystems such as
mangroves, agricultural lands, and ecologically sensitive areas like sanctuaries and marine parks.
Aquaculture units shall be permitted in the aquaculture zone based on the carrying capacity of the
water body and shall maintain environmental sustainability.
(6) Each map of potential aquaculture zones shall be generated based on the available resource-sharing
capacity and unproductive lands available.
(7) Broad carrying capacity estimation for aquaculture zones shall be done by identifying the carrying
capacity limit of water bodies and using them for aquaculture siting, registration, licensing, and
production limits.
(8) Geospatial mapping of suitable lands for pond aquaculture shall integrate land use, soil
characteristics, water quality from source water bodies, environmental regulations, other user conflicts
in the particular region and access to infrastructure and the ranking of parameters shall be scored for
each criterion on a defined scale from most suitable to not suitable.
(9) The mapping of aqua zones shall also consider socio-cultural attributes, social issues, local area
master plans and other logistics required for mapping to protect the livelihoods of the local people
engaged in fishing and their access to fishing grounds and avoid conflict with other users.
(10) Every aquaculture unit within the aquaculture zone shall have proof of ownership or lease of land.
(11) Biosecurity and zoning strategies shall include aquaculture management of areas that are clusters
of farms that share a common water supply and are in such proximity that disease and water quality
management practices are best managed collectively rather than by individual farms.
(12) The zones for aquaculture shall be designated and for the said purpose spatial plans that identify
suitable areas for aquaculture while considering and addressing diverse uses and users of space shall
be developed and published.
4. Criteria for aqua zoning and mapping.- The following criteria shall be considered for identifying
land for aqua zoning and mapping, namely:-
(a) lands not suitable for agriculture, nonproductive in the past, ecologically important regions and
buffer zones from eco-sensitive areas, shall be demarcated;
(b) no aquaculture activity shall be allowed in ecologically important areas along the coast and estuaries
with biodiversity, critical habitats and endangered species including coastal and marine ecologically
sensitive areas and protected areas notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986;
(c) assessment of availability of water by source and by seasonality in estuary, backwaters, canals,
rivers, creeks and drains;
(d) assessment of water quality parameters such as pH, hardness and salinity in creeks, canals, rivers
and drains;
(e) soil quality (clay loam, silty clay, silty clay loam or clay) for management measures;
(f) assessment of suitable soils requiring consideration of both soil pH and soil texture;
(g) unproductive lands surrounded by aquaculture ponds or lands that are alkaline, less productive and
un-productive for agriculture, having high salinity and alkalinity shall be identified;
(h) other factors such elevated land, storm hazard vulnerability and tidal range shall be considered
based on the availability of data;
(i) prevention of pollution of receiving water bodies, soil, groundwater and adverse impacts on nearby
agriculture and horticulture crops shall be ensured;
(j) species culture shall be carried out depending on the following water salinity:-
(i) high saline coastal areas: above 15 ppt -Shrimp (L. vannamei, P. indicus), Mudcrab,
Seaweeds, Cobia, seabass, Silver pompano, Groupers, Snappers, Oysters, mussels,
marine ornamental fish,and any other species permitted by the Central Government;
(ii) brackishwater areas: 5-15 ppt- Shrimp (L. vannamei, P. monodon, P.indicus) Mudcrab,
Seabass, Tilapia, brackishwater ornamental fish, seaweed and any other species
permitted by the Central Government.
5. Aqua zonation and mapping process.- (1) An aquaculture zone shall comprise of units within a
panchayat or a village.
(2) In each panchayat or village, the coastal aquaculture area within the jurisdiction of the Authority
shall be identified with survey numbers and Coastal Aquaculture Authority registration numbers.
(3) Geo-tagging shall be done by the Committee constituted with representatives from the departments
of Fisheries, Revenue, Irrigation, Agriculture, Forest, Panchayat Raj and Environment.
(4) Farmer-wise data shall be collected in the Form P-1.
(5) In each panchayat or village, potential lands suitable for aquaculture shall be identified with survey
numbers and geo-coordinates farmer-wise by the Committee in Form P-2.
(6) Classification of land available shall be as per the records available of the Revenue or Agriculture
Department.
(7) Geospatial information and district-wise maps with the Coastal Regulation Zone demarcation for the
existing aquaculture lands and potential lands - Satellite-based maps from Remote sensing or Space
Application Centre shall be used.
(8) Water resources available with the Public Works Department, Irrigation Department or Water
Resources Department shall be used.
(9) Brackishwater aquaculture farms and the lands suitable for aquaculture shall be listed on the basis
of farmer-wise information collected in Form P-1 and Form P-2, village or panchayat information in
Form P-3 and potential lands suitable for aquaculture in Form P-4.
(10) All stakeholders shall be consulted while identifying the aqua zones and potential lands by
conducting meetings of the Gram Sabha, Taluk or Mandal and District Level.
(11) Wide publication of the data shall be made through notice boards at Panchayats, conspicuous
public places and Government offices, District webportal and through other electronic, print and social
media, inviting objections on the identified aqua zones and potential lands by the Committee and the
grievances so received shall be duly considered and the final data with the approval of the Gram Sabha
concerned shall be published on the notice board of the village or panchayat and district.
(12) The committee mentioned in sub-regulation (3) shall forward the approved aqua zone data along
with potential lands details suitable for aquaculture at the village or panchayat level to the District
Level Committee for finalization.
(13) The District Level Committee constituted under rule 10 of the said rules shall finalise the
aquaculture area in the Form P-3 and the potential lands suitable for aquaculture in Form P-4 and also
specify the required infrastructure facilities to be developed in the aquaculture zones and recommend
the same to the Commissioner or Director of Fisheries concerned for taking further action.
(14) The Commissioner or Director of Fisheries concerned shall scrutinise the aquaculture area and
place before the High-Level Committee at the State level consisting of representatives line Departments
not below the rank of Director and headed by Secretary, Fisheries for examining and recommending
an appropriate course of action to the Government.
(15) The Commissioner or Director of Fisheries concerned shall share the data of aqua zones notified
within the jurisdiction of Coastal Aquaculture Authority to the Authority for publishing the same at
national level.
(16) The data of aqua zones along with aqua maps generated shall be made available at the panchayat
or village level, Taluk or Mandal and District level.
<<<>>>
Form P-1
(See sub-paragraphs (4) and (7) of paragraph 5)
Survey format for existing coastal aquaculture farm(s) for declaration of aqua zones
1. Date of survey :
2. Ownership of the farm (self owned by farmer/ :
lease/ Government land/ forest / others (Specify)
3. If owned by the farmer or on lease, farmer's details
(a) Name of the farmer (In block letters) :
(b) Father/Husband Name :
(c) Residential address :
(d) Mobile No. :
(e) E mail ID :
(f) Aadhaar Number (voluntary) :
4. Coastal aquaculture farm location details
(a) Village/Panchayat :
(b) Taluk/Mandal :
(c) District with Pin Code :
(d) Survey Number :
(e) Geo-coordinates
(I) Longitude :
(II) Latitude :
5. Total farm area (Hectare) :
6. Water Spread Area (Hectare) :
7. Number of ponds existing :
8. Source of water (sea/creek/canal/backwaters :
/others (Specify)
9. Name of the source water :
10. Date and year of commencement of aquaculture :
11. Whether the farm registered with Coastal
Aquaculture Authority (Yes/No) :
(a) If registered, registration Number :
(b) Date of registration :
(c) Registration/ Renewal period valid upto :
12. Soil characteristics of the farm
(a) Soil type (clay loam, silty clay, :
silty clay loam and clay etc.) specify
(b) pH :
13. Water quality parameters
(a) Salinity levels :
(Above 5 ppt and upto 15 ppt/
Above 15 ppt, pl. specify)
(b) pH :
(c) Alkalinity (ppm as CaCO3) :
(d) Hardness (ppm as CaCO3) :
14. Whether whole/ part of the farm falls
under any of the following categories (Yes/No)
(a) Agriculture land :
(b) Forest land/ Govt. land :
(c) Land for village/public common purpose :
(d) Mangroves/ ecological sensitive areas :
15. Indicate the distance of the farm site from
(a) High Tide Line :
(b) Nearest drinking water source :
(c) Agriculture land :
(d) Mangrove/ecological sensitive areas :
(e) Human settlements :
(f) Sanctuaries/heritage areas :
(g) Reserve forest :
16. Details of bio-security facilities established
(a) Crab/Human fencing (Yes/No) :
(b) Bird fencing (Yes/No) :
(c) Foot dip with disinfectant (Yes/No) :
(d) Hand dip with disinfectant (Yes/No) :
(e) Inlet with proper filtration (Yes/No) :
(f) Outlet with mesh bags (Yes/No) :
(g) Effluent Treatment System (Yes/No) :
(h) If yes, % of farm area earmarked for Effluent :
Treatment System
(i) Green belt development (Yes/No) :
(j) Solid Waste Management (Yes/No) :
(k) Separate implements for each pond(Yes/No) :
17. Species culturing details:
(a) Shrimp (specify the species) :
(b) Crab (specify the species) :
(c) Marine fin fish (specify the species) :
(d) Others (specify the species) :
(e) Stocking density (Seed/ sq. m) :
18. Whether the coastal aquaculture farm has :
any adverse impact on the nearby sources
(Effect on agriculture lands, drinking water,
mangrove, ecologically sensitives areas,
livelihood of fishers/other users or
human habitations etc.), If yes, please specify
19. Recommendation of the Committee :
to declare the farm under aqua zonation
Signatures of the Committee members
Form P-2
(See sub-paragraphs (5) and (7) of paragraph 5)
Survey format for identification of potential lands suitable for coastal aquaculture
1. Date of survey :
2. Ownership details of the potential land :
(self owned by farmer/ lease/ Government
land/ Forest land/ others (specify)
3. If self owned by farmer/lease, farmer details
(a) Name of the farmer (In block letters) :
(b) Father/Husband Name :
(c) Residential address :
(d) Mobile Number :
(e) E mail ID :
(f) Aadhaar Number (voluntary) :
4. Location of the potential land:
(a) Village/Panchayat :
(b) Taluk/Mandal :
(c) District with Pin code :
(d) Survey No's :
(e) Geo-coordinates:
(I) Longitude :
(II) Latitude :
5. Total extent of the land (Hectare) :
6. Category of potential land (Low productive :
/Alkaline/ Saline/low lying/others (specify))
7. Present utility of the land :
(Agriculture crop/ barren/ others specify)
8. Soil characteristics of the potential land
(a) Soil type (clay loam, silty clay, :
silty clay loam and clay etc.) specify
(b) pH :
9. Available source of saline water :
(sea/creek/canal/backwaters/others)
10. Name of the source water :
11. Salinity levels (ppt range) :
12. Whether whole/ part of potential land falls
under any of the following categories (Yes/No)
(a) Agriculture land :
(b) Forest land/ Govt. land :
(c) Land for village/public common purpose :
(d) Mangroves/ ecological sensitive areas :
13. Indicate the distance of the farm site from
(a) High Tide Line :
(b) Nearest drinking water source :
(c) Agriculture land :
(d) Mangrove/ecological sensitive areas :
(e) Human settlements :
(f) Sanctuaries/heritage areas :
(g) Reserve forest :
14. Whether the potential land, in case of :
conversion to aquaculture farm will have
any effect on the nearby sources
(Effect on agriculture lands, drinking water,
mangrove, ecologically sensitives areas,
livelihood of fishers/ other users and
human habitations), If yes, please specify
15. Recommendation of the Committee to :
declare as potential land suitable for
coastal aquaculture
Signatures of the Committee
Form P-3
(See sub-paragraphs (7) and (11) of paragraph 5)
Panchayat/ Village wise report for existing aquaculture area proposed for declaration of Aquaculture Zones in the
District:
Taluk/Mandal:
Panchayat/Village:
Total area existing in agriculture & other crops (in ha):
Total area existing in aquaculture (in hect):
+----+-------------+---------+-----------+-----------+----------+------------------+---------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+-----------+-------------------------------------+
| SI.| Ownership | If the | Father/Husba| Survey | Farm | Geo-coordinates. | Soil Characteristics as | Water Source Characteristics for water | Whether | Remarks/ |
| N | p of the | farmer' | nd name. | Number(s) | Extent | | per the soil health | source (Range to be mentioned). | the farm | Recommendati |
| 0 | farm. | s own | | / Khata | (in | | cards. | | has any | on of the |
| | | land, | | / Plot | hectare | | | | impact | Committee to |
| | Name | Name | | no(s). | ) | | | | on the | declare as aqua |
| | of the | of the | | | | | | | nearby | zones. |
| | farmer. | farmer. | | | | | | | resources,| |
| | | | | | | | | | if yes | |
| | | | | | | | | | specify. | |
+----+-------------+---------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-----+-----------+-------+------------+----------+----------+-----------+-----------+-------------------------------------+
|(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) | (9) | (10)| (11)| (12) | (13) | (14) | (15) | (16) | (17) | (18) |
+----+-------------+---------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-----+-----------+-------+------------+----------+----------+-----------+-----------+-------------------------------------+
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
+----+-------------+---------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+---------+-----+-----------+-------+------------+----------+----------+-----------+-----------+-------------------------------------+
Colm-2: Ownership of the farm: Farmer's own/lease/Government land/Forest/other specify
Colm-9: Water Source (Sea/ backwater/Drain/ Creeks/ Canals/ etc)
Colm-10: Soil type (clay loam, silty clay, silty clay loam, clay etc.)
Colm-17: Effect on agricultural lands, drinking water, mangrove, ecologically sensitive areas, livelihood of
fishers/other users, human habitations etc (Yes/No), if yes specify
Signatures of the Committee Members:
Form P-4
(See sub-paragraphs (7) and (11) of paragraph 5)
Panchayat/ Village wise survey report on identification of potential land suitable for conversion into coastal aquaculture
District:
Taluk/Mandal:
Panchayat/Village:
Existing area under agriculture & other crops:
Total area identified as potential land suitable for aquaculture (in ha):
Existing area under aquaculture (in hectare):
+----+-------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+----------+------------------+----------+----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+----------+-----------+---------------------------------------+
| Sl.| Ownership | If farmer's | Father/ | Survey | Extent of | Geo-coordinates. | Present | Category | Available | Salinity of | Soil | pH | Whether the | Remarks/ |
| No.| of the | own land, | Husband | Nunber. | the | | utility | of land. | saline | available | Characte | | identified | Recommendation of the |
| | land. | Name of | name. | | potential | | of the | | water | water | ristics | | potential | Committee to declare as |
| | | the farmer | | | land (in | | land. | | source. | source (ppt | as per | | land has any| potential land for |
| | | | | | hectare) | | | | | -range). | the soil | | impact on | conversion into coastal |
| | | | | | | | | | | | health | | the nearby | aquaculture. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | cards. | | resources, | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | if yes | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | specify. | |
+----+-------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+-----------+----------+-----------+---------------------------------------+
|(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) | (9) | (10) | (11) | (12) | (13) | (14) | (15) | (16) |
+----+-------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+-----------+----------+-----------+---------------------------------------+
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
+----+-------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+-----------+-----------+----------+-----------+---------------------------------------+
Colm-2: Ownership of the land (Farmer's own/lease/Government land/Forest/others (Specify)
Colm-9: Present utility of land (Under agriculture crops/barren/ others (Specify)
Colm-10: Category of the land (Low productive/ Alkaline/ Saline/others (Specify)
Colm-11: Available saline water source (Sea/Drain/ Creeks/ Canals/ etc)
Colm-13: Soil type (clay loam, silty clay, silty clay loam, clay etc.)
Colm-15: Effect on agricultural lands, drinking water, mangrove, ecologically sensitive areas, livelihood of
fishers/other users, human habitations etc (Yes/No), if yes specify
Signatures of the Committee Members
[F. No. j-1903336/2/2024-DOF (E-23648)]
NEETU KUMARI PRASAD, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.
AMIT KUMAR JAISWAL Digitally signed by AMIT KUMAR
JAISWAL
Date: 2025.07.28 11:52:12 +05'30'