Commercial Fisheries - Semi Industrial Fishery - Lobster Fishery

A commercial licence costs SCR 500. A lobster fishing licence costs SCR 500. In addition, a compliance bond of SCR 5,000 must also be paid prior to the issuance of a lobster fishing licence. This fee is refundable upon the end of the season if no licence conditions are breached.

A local fishing licence (artisanal and semi-industrial) is valid for a period of one year, while a lobster fishing licence is valid for the duration of the open season for which it was applied.

No, none of the licences for the lobster fishery are transferable.

The Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA)

Lobsters are typically harvested by diving - primarily through snorkelling. Each licenced lobster fishing vessel is restricted to using a maximum of four divers. There are no other gear restrictions specifically targeting the lobster fishery, although the use of spearguns, explosives, poisons, and noxious substances is prohibited (across all fisheries including the lobster fishery).

The lobster fishery is a limited entry fishery. The decision on whether the fishery is opened, the number of licenses to be issued and the length of the season is usually made by the SFA’s Fisheries Management Division, based on the results of annual fishery-independent stock assessments undertaken by the Research Division. For example, the lobster fishery remained closed for two consecutive seasons (2017-2018 and 2018- 2019) to allow stocks to recover.

No. Though the number of licences for the lobster fishery is tightly controlled, there is no quota on lobster catches imposed on those who are issued a lobster fishing licence.

Yes. The license holder shall not at any time be in possession of, fish for, catch or kill:

➢ Lobster in a protected area;

➢ Lobster which are less than 7.5 cm in carapace length;

➢ Lobster in the berried state;

Yes, there are several other licence conditions associated with the lobster fishery, as outlined below:

➢ The license holder will provide access of fisheries technicians to all catches and all reasonable assistance in obtaining data;

➢ The license holder will provide the SFA with access to the receipt book for the sale of every lobster at the closure of the lobster season.

➢ The licence holder will agree to be interviewed by SFA fisheries technicians as when the need arises;

Yes. The licensee must record all catches in a logbook after each fishing trips, and declare their catches every two weeks, or during any routine inspection. All logbooks should be submitted to SFA within one week after closure of the lobster fishing season.

Yes.