Bhubaneswar, May 20 -- The Odisha government on Wednesday approved a new marine fishing law mandating transponders, Very High Frequency (VHF) radios and biometric Aadhaar identification for fishermen, while introducing stricter curbs on illegal and unregulated fishing.

The proposed Odisha Marine Fishing (Prohibition and Regulation) Bill, 2026 will replace the 43-year-old Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, and expand regulation to deep-sea fishing, coastal security and marine conservation.

The state cabinet, which met on Wednesday, approved the repeal of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982, and its replacement with the Odisha Marine Fishing (Prohibition and Regulation) Bill, 2026.

Officials said the four-decade-old l...