Cabinet approves moratorium on importation and chartering of longline fishing vessels |11 August 2023

Seychelles Nation

Cabinet has approved a moratorium on the importation and chartering of longline fishing vessels for use in the semi-industrial tuna fishery, with immediate effect until June 2024.

This was during its weekly meeting on Wednesday, chaired by President Wavel Ramkalawan, in which a number of policy and legal memoranda were approved.

Speaking to the local media during the live cabinet press conference yesterday, Vice-President, Ahmed Afif said cabinet has found this decision necessary given the numerous challenges in the sector such as congestion in the fishing ports due to lack of berthing space; capacity for the provision of inputs such as ice; capacity to accommodate foreign crew as currently the fleet is entirely crewed by foreigners and a lack of clear development and management strategies for the small scale longline fishery.

“On one hand the increase is good. It means more business but as we know fish are limited and what we have seen is that with this increase in vessels, productivity by each of these vessels has fallen considerably.”

Vice-President Afif said that it has caused the problem of congestion in the already limited facilities available. The moratorium will be effective until June 2024.

At Wednesday’s meeting, cabinet also approved the revocation of the Seychelles Fishing Authority (Establishment) Act, 1984 to be replaced by the Seychelles Fisheries Authority Bill 2023.

He explained the new Bill will align the legislation with the new mandate of the Authority, which oversees the efficient management and sustainable development of the fisheries sector on par with international norms, standards and best practice.

The new Bill will include a change of name of the authority to the Seychelles Fisheries Authority to reflect the mandate of the Authority for the sustainable management and development of fisheries and fisheries-related activities.

“Today this law needs to be modernised. We felt that since the fishing sector is very important to Seychelles and the need to stay up to date with our legal acts are important, changes to the act are very necessary,” said Vice-President Afif.

This new Bill allows an increase in the number of SFA board members from eight to nine.

The new bill will be giving the Authority added functions, which includes the power to promote, organise, develop and manage sustainable fisheries and also have the power to enter into agreement for the management or joint management of ports and port facilities. The role and functions of the board will be redefined; the post of managing director will be renamed to chief executive officer; and a post of deputy chief executive officer will be created.

Cabinet also approved the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill and Fisheries Regulations 2023 that seeks to be a comprehensive law to replace the Fisheries Act 2014. The Bill also addresses existing gaps and loopholes, and some conflicting and inconsistent provisions in the Fisheries Act 2014.

Cabinet also approved the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The Bill stipulates the criteria for eligibility of citizenship, the process for applying for citizenship, the taking of the oath and public access to the register of citizenship.

“We decided that the 5.1 act needed to be modified where the president can continue to give out passports on a meritorious basis; however, there will be an eligibility committee that will look at the different situations and eligible individuals and recommend them to the president.”

Cabinet approved the proposal to amend the terms and conditions for the issuance of Permanent Residence Permits. Cabinet took decisions on the condition for obtaining permanent residence permits in conditions of marriage, investment, priority work and duration of the permit. Attainment of the long-term residency status will require that the application undergoes a mandatory process which includes an in-depth due diligence followed by deliberation and recommendation of the Permanent Residence Committee.

“We want to facilitate mixed families, where a parent of foreign nationality can have the same rights as a citizen once they have followed the proper criteria and regulations needed to be eligible for a permit. We also want to facilitate and encourage people who we see has a desire, to let them stay in Seychelles without having to be a citizen, for example people with exceptional skills. And also for students who have been in the country for five years or more. They will not be citizens of Seychelles but they can get a permanent resident permit and can also work in the country without a GOP when they successfully finish University,” explained Vice-President Afif.  This also applies to foreign investors with businesses in Seychelles. The validity of the permit will last for two years and will be assessed by a committee after the time is up.

Cabinet approved amendments to the National Identity Card Act to permit the Chief Officer of Civil Status to issue a national identity card to a citizen of Seychelles who applies for a national identity card. Any citizen of Seychelles may apply for and be issued with a national identity card upon submitting proof of citizenship of Seychelles. This includes the Seychelles diaspora. A citizen residing in Seychelles for more than three months will, however, continue to be obligated to hold a national identity card.

“Any Seychellois citizens living abroad, who can prove they are Seychellois with a valid Seychelles passport, can get an identification card at the civil status office with proper identification and proof.”

Cabinet also approved for legislation to be introduced to allow for correction of minor errors in acts of birth, marriage, death.

During the meeting, cabinet was briefed on the status of the claims for compensation made by Baie Ste Anne residents for loss and damage caused by the Public Utilities Corporation (PUC).

“They have done a presentation with those that have been affected, they have been given feedback and now will be formalising the procedures and looking at how the compensation will be paid. For the moment no direct timeline or due date has been set,” said the vice-president.

Diane Larame