# Supreme Court ruling on Tamil Nadu fishing rights

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/supreme-court-ruling-on-tamil-nadu-fishing-rights
> Updated: 2026-09-05T05:00:42.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The Supreme Court of India addressed an “unwritten ban” affecting Tamil Nadu fishermen attempting to use purse seine nets within the Centre’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Court initially criticized the lack of coordination between Union and state authorities, describing the failure to grant necessary access passes via the ReALCRaft Portal as “disturbing.”

In a subsequent ruling, the Court emphasized the principle of “cooperative federalism,” noting that while the Union regulates fisheries beyond territorial waters, the State maintains authority within them. To resolve the issue, the Court directed the Tamil Nadu government to facilitate the transit of fishing vessels through its territorial waters to reach the EEZ and ordered the timely clearance of access pass applications.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-05: Supreme Court directs Tamil Nadu to facilitate purse seine fishing transit

The Supreme Court of India directed Tamil Nadu to facilitate purse seine fishing transit through territorial waters to the EEZ, citing cooperative federalism and addressing application delays.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-directs-tamil-nadu-to-facilitate-purse-seine-fishing-transit

### 2026-09-02: Supreme Court criticizes unwritten ban on Tamil Nadu fishermen

The Supreme Court of India criticized an “unwritten ban” on Tamil Nadu fishermen, urging the Union and state to cooperate in granting access passes for purse seine fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-criticizes-unwritten-ban-on-tamil-nadu-fishermen

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Cite as: Supreme Court ruling on Tamil Nadu fishing rights. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/supreme-court-ruling-on-tamil-nadu-fishing-rights