The Supreme Court asked Tamil Nadu to draft rules allowing fishing vessels with purse seine nets to pass from territorial waters into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The State must designate a navigation channel under the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Rules, 2020. While the EEZ Rules, 2025 issue access passes for EEZ fishing, the 2020 State Rules govern territorial waters. The Court held that the Union and the State hold co-equal, autonomous powers over fishing in their zones, stressed co-operative federalism, and told Tamil Nadu to clear EEZ access-pass applications promptly.