Centre delegates powers to states for shipping vessels

The onus is on states for registration, survey and certification of fishing vessels

The Centre has taken a decision to delegate the powers of registration, survey and certification of Indian fishing boats, irrespective of their size or length, to states and union territories. The powers of registration, survey and certification are now the responsibility of the secretaries in charge of the Department of Fisheries of respective state governments or the Administrators in the case of Union territories.

This will strengthen the maritime administrations of the states/union territories. Additionally, the fishing community stands to benefit through reduction in transaction time and costs, accessibility of services at the local level and convenience. The decision to decentralize these functions had emerged at the 14th meeting of the Maritime States Development Council held in Mumbai on 7th and 8th January 2013.