Recreational Fisheries

There have traditionally been few management regulations that specifically target recreational fishing in Seychelles. However, all regulations for controlling fishing activities as per Sub-part 6 of the Fisheries Act also applies to the recreational fisheries. The Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery Co-management Plan (hereafter referred to as ‘the MP Plan’) and supporting Fisheries (Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations, 2021, that came into force in January 2022, has resulted in greater regulation around the recreational fishery such as size limits and catch (bag) limits.

A licence is not required for recreational fishing. Paragraph 21 of the Fisheries Act exempt a vessel used for recreational fishing in Seychelles waters from the requirement of having a licence or permit unless otherwise prescribed.

Some fishing activities can be conducted all year round, such as handlining for demersal and or semi-pelagic and pelagic species, whilst some fishing activities are restricted. For example the Fisheries (Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations, 2021, puts restrictions on fishing gears that can be used in certain areas during periods of the year.

This includes a ban on fishers (including recreational fisher) leaving fish traps overnight on listed spawning sites of Kordonnyen (rabbit fish) during their spawning season (September to April inclusive).

Similarly, for the three days prior to and three days after every full moon occurring during the Kordonnyen spawning season, all fishing vessels will be limited to using a maximum of 6 traps per day on listed Kordonnyen spawning sites. Note that a maximum of 2 traps applies for recreational fishing vessels.

The use of spearguns, explosives, poisons, and noxious substances is prohibited across all fisheries in Seychelles, including the recreational fishery. The Fisheries Act also bans the use of unauthorised fish aggregating devices. As [large] net fishing is a licensable activity, the use of large nets is not allowed as part of recreational fishing. The use of demersal trawl nets is also prohibited under the Fisheries Regulations (1987). The Fisheries (Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations, 2021 limits the number of fish traps to two per vessel for recreational fishers... Additionally, a minimum mesh size of 40mm for traps is applicable across all sub-sectors.

The use of spearguns, explosives, poisons, and noxious substances is prohibited across all fisheries in Seychelles, including the recreational fishery. The Fisheries Act also bans the use of unauthorised fish aggregating devices. As [large] net fishing is a licensable activity, the use of large nets is not allowed as part of recreational fishing. The use of demersal trawl nets is also prohibited under the Fisheries Regulations (1987). The Fisheries (Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations, 2021 limits the number of fish traps to two per vessel for recreational fishers... Additionally, a minimum mesh size of 40mm for traps is applicable across all sub-sectors.

The Fisheries (Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations, 2021 introduced a catch limit of five Bourzwa (Emperor red snapper; Lutjanus sebae) per day and five Zob gris (Green jobfish; Aprion virescens) per day for recreational fishers. The Fisheries (Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations, further limit the maximum number of fish (of demersal species) any one recreational fisher can catch in one day to 20 fish per fisher, inclusive of five bourzwa and five zob gris.

Recreational fishers should not target species that are restricted such as lobsters, sea-cucumber and spanner crabs. The Fisheries regulations (1987) restricts the collection of shells from Shell Reserves, except for those specified in the Third Schedule and prohibits the collection of triton conch shells (Charonia tritonis) (regulation 11), the catching and killing of Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) (regulation 12), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) (regulation 13), and fishing for sharks using nets (regulation 16C).

Furthermore, the Fisheries (Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations requires all fishers (including recreational fishers) to return to the water any Bourzwa (Emperor red snapper) or Zob gris (Green jobfish) measuring less than 32 cm in (fork length) from the tip of the jaw/snout to the centre of the fork in the tail.

Yes. While there are no specific conditions concerning catch reporting for the recreational 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.

No. Catches from the recreational fishery should not be used for any commercial activity resulting in trading, offering for sale or selling of fish. It should be solely for personal consumption.