Aquaculture Department
The Aquaculture Department is responsible for implementing the Aquaculture Sector Development Plan. This includes setting up the required institutional, policy, and regulatory frameworks to promote the orderly development of the sector. The Department is also responsible for enforcing the Fisheries (Aquaculture) Regulations 2020, which govern the sector’s activities, such as operations, investment, research, and human capacity development.
Strategic Mandates
- Promote investment and sustainable growth in the aquaculture sector
- Maximize the socio-economic benefits of the aquaculture sector for society
- Promote aquaculture at the large and SME scale
- Develop appropriate aquaculture technology through research and development
- Develop the necessary industry support services for the sector
- Build the necessary human capacity for the development of the sector
- Enhance the perception of aquaculture in the country and its many benefits
- Promote aquaculture as an important component of integrated coastal management
- Develop an aquaculture industry compatible with responsible stewardship of the marine environment and its resources
Seychelles Aquaculture Brand
Under the Aquaculture Department a new brand was created in 2020 upon which the sector will be developed. The Seychelles Aquaculture brand is a government initiative to develop marine aquaculture in the country, and it is currently in its initial implementation phases. To have a successful start to this new industry, it is important to have a marketing strategy with a two-pronged approach. Therefore, the local market and the international market is being treated separately, each with different marketing goals, but with the ultimate objective of ensuring the success of the aquaculture sector.
Sections & Units
Aquaculture Regulatory and Compliance Section
- Receives and registers aquaculture license applications.
- Manages the aquaculture license evaluation process.
- Distributes aquaculture business plan components to relevant departments.
- Consolidates evaluations and makes recommendations.
- Manages ongoing aquaculture license fees and any other relevant production fees.
- Ensures aquaculture compliance with environmental and safety standards.
- Plans the future of the aquaculture sector, including updating the license availability schedule.
- Secures land and water-based aquaculture sites.
- Manages pre-development activities and feasibility studies.
- Interfaces with prospective aquaculture investors.
- Enforces aquaculture license compliance, including environmental, biosecurity, and occupational health standards.
- Monitors compliance of aquaculture operations in the sector with Environmental Management Plans (EMPs).
- Reviews and updates aquaculture compliance records and statistics.
- Develops and manages education and awareness programs.
- Executes marketing strategies to attract investors and educate stakeholders.
- Plans and conducts local industry launches for Seychellois investors.
Aquaculture Operations Section
- Manages overall operations, including technicians, equipment, facilities, and compliance.
- Handles specific projects like the Broodstock Acclimation and Quarantine Facility (BAQF) Phase 1 and Phase 2, Pilot Sea Cages, Sea Urchin Research Facility (SURF) and the Containerized Echinoid Hatchery projects.
- Works closely with the Aquaculture Research unit to achieve overall R&D sectoral objectives.
- Implements the Aquaculture Research Plan.
- Ensures research is relevant to commercial and other forms of aquaculture.
- Coordinates daily research activities with operations unit.
- Maintains relationships with global scientific institutions and local academic entities.
- Develops Strategic Development Plans (SDPs) for new projects.
- Manages capital costing and procurement for infrastructure projects.
- Drafts and implements project concept notes for funding.
Each section and unit within the department is designed to ensure the sustainable and efficient growth of the aquaculture sector in Seychelles, focusing on regulatory compliance, research, marketing, and the necessary infrastructure development.