Indian & World Geography·Policy Changes
Marine Resources — Policy Changes
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Version 1Updated 7 Mar 2026
| Entry | Year | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not applicable to a specific Indian Constitutional Amendment | 1982 (UNCLOS adoption) | While not an 'amendment' to an Indian constitutional article, the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 significantly altered and codified international maritime law, influencing national legislation globally, including India's. India subsequently enacted its own laws, such as the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (amended subsequently), to align with UNCLOS principles. | UNCLOS established the legal framework for marine resource governance, defining the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf rights, which profoundly impacted how coastal states, including India, claim and manage their marine resources. It shifted the paradigm from 'freedom of the seas' to a more regulated regime, balancing national rights with international responsibilities for environmental protection and the 'common heritage of mankind' principle for deep-seabed resources. |
| Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act | 1981 (and subsequent amendments) | This Indian Act, enacted prior to India's ratification of UNCLOS but in anticipation of its principles, regulates fishing activities by foreign vessels within India's maritime zones, particularly the EEZ. It has been subject to amendments to strengthen enforcement and align with evolving international norms and India's conservation goals. | This Act is crucial for India's management of its living marine resources, primarily fisheries, within its EEZ. It empowers the government to control and regulate fishing, prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign entities, and protect the livelihoods of Indian fishermen. Amendments typically aim to enhance surveillance, penal provisions, and conservation measures, directly impacting the sustainability of India's fish stocks. |