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FAQ's
Commercial Fisheries - Semi Industrial Fishery
Longline Fishery
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Do I need a licence to engage in the semi-industrial longline fishery?
Yes. To engage in the semi-industrial longline fishery, you must licence your boat by applying for a semi-industrial longline vessel licence. To note, the semi-industrial longline fishery is reserved exclusively for vessels 100% owned by Seychellois citizens. -
How much does a licence cost?
A semi-industrial longline vessel licence costs SCR 500.
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How long is a licence valid?
A semi-industrial longline vessel licence is valid for a period of one year.
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Can I transfer my licence to someone else?
No, none of the licences for the semi-industrial fishery are transferable.
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Which authority is responsible for issuing licences?
The Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA)
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What gear can I use to fish in the semi-industrial longline fishery?
Longline, dropline, scuba gear for sea cucumber, handline, troll line (refer to the fisheries comprehensive plan for more information).
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Are there any restrictions regarding fishing seasons or can I go fishing all year round?
Semi-industrial fishing vessels are free to fish all year round except vessels engage in sea-cucumber fishery whereby there is an annual close period.
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Are there limits on how many fish I can catch per day?
There is no individual or collective quota in place for Seychelles’ semi-industrial longline fleet. However, the MP Plan has introduced a per trip catch limit of 20 fish (of demersal species). This is with the intention of removing the capacity for semi-industrial longline vessels to target large quantities of demersal fish on the Mahé plateau and for them to instead refocus their efforts on pelagic species off the plateau.
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Are there any additional restrictions on targeted species?
The MP Plan requires all fishers (including those on semi-industrial vessels) to return to the water any Bourzwa (emperor red snapper) or Zob gris (green jobfish) that measure less than 32 cm in fork length (from the tip of jaw/snout to the centre of the fork in the tail).
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Are there any other licence conditions I should be aware of?
Yes. According to the Fisheries Comprehensive Plan, the licence conditions for semi-industrial longliners are the following:
➢ Allowed to fish tuna and tuna-like species, excluding those prohibited under the Fisheries Act and those requiring special authorisation
➢ Allowed to fish in Seychelles’ waters
➢ Allowed to fish outside Seychelles waters in areas stipulated by their Certificate of Authorization
➢ The reporting requirement is as per the Fisheries Act and Regulations
➢ Authorised to land in Seychelles’ ports only
➢ VMS must be operational throughout whole trips for vessel to be entitled to fuel concessions
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Do I have to inform someone about my catches?
Yes. While there are no specific conditions concerning catch reporting for the semi-industrial longline fishery, Article 7 (2) of the Fisheries Act makes it a requirement for anyone engaged in fishing and fishing-related activities to provide information regarding their activities (including catch, effort, fishing locations, landing and transshipment) to the SFA when requested.
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Can I sell my catches?
Yes. For the semi-industrial longline fleet, they can only sell catches of tuna and tuna-like species.