Bhubaneswar, May 20: The Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today approved a proposal for enactment of new OMFRA Legislation 2026 by repealing the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982.
The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department placed the proposal in the cabinet for approval relating to the repeal of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, and the enactment of the Odisha Marine Fishing (Prohibition and Regulation) legislation, 2026.
The cabinet has approved the memorandum of the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Bill, 2026, to establish a robust, modern, and inclusive legal framework for the Marine Fisheries Sector.
The earlier Act was limited in scope, not inclusive, and inadequate to address emerging challenges such as marine resource conservation, fishermen's safety, coastal security, technological advancements, and the prevention of unauthorized entry of foreign fishing vessels.
The new legislation overcomes these limitations by expanding the scope to include the regulation of deep-sea fishing and the promotion of mariculture activities, such as marine cage culture, seaweed culture, deployment of artificial reef for rejuvenation of territorial waters and many other economically viable ventures for sustainable development.
Furthermore, it paves the way for comprehensive smart green integrated infrastructure development, including the modernization and management of fishing harbours and fish landing centres along the coast of Odisha. Thus, this bill shall ensure livelihood support as well as employment generation.
A high priority has been given in the new bill to the safety of our coastal communities and coastal & national security.
The legislation mandates the use of modern safety equipment and communication technologies, including Transponders, Very High Frequency (VHF) radios, and Vessel Tracking and Monitoring Systems (VTMS). These provisions, along with mandatory biometric/ QR coded aadhar identification and enhanced insurance coverage, will significantly bolster fishermen's security and coastal surveillance.
The enacted legislation also introduces stringent measures to curb Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. It provides for the strict regulation of fishing vessels, fishermen, and related activities, along with provisions for licensing, fishing gear regulation, and the prohibition of destructive fishing practices. It ensures the protection of traditional fishers and strengthens the monitoring and enforcement mechanism, facilitating the conservation and management of marine resources in a sustainable way.
Strategically aligned with the "Viksit Odisha Vision 2036-2047" and the state's Blue Economy initiatives including deep sea fishing mission, the legislation is expected to strengthen marine fisheries governance and drive immense economic benefits.
By prioritizing socio-economic upliftment and sustainable practices, the Bill will serve as a catalyst to facilitate and scale Odisha's seafood exports, scaling marine fisheries sector targeting a monumental milestone of ₹25,000 crore seafood export by 2036.
