Managing Seychelles' Fisheries
Ensuring Sustainable Practices for Seychelles' Marine Resources
The Fisheries Management Department is responsible for promoting the sustainable and transparent utilisation of fisheries resources in Seychelles waters and within the Western Indian Ocean region. This includes the development of new, or amendments to existing management plans or management measures for various fisheries resources, through participatory multi-stakeholder decision-making processes and the effective implementation of those management plans and measures.
The Department is responsible for ensuring that fishing and related activities comply with the Fisheries Act, national regulations, and international agreements. The Technical Coordination Section, part of the Department, focuses on developing strong relationships within the fisheries sector and coordinating projects and programs in alignment with relevant policies.
Fisheries Management Committee
In 2023, the Fisheries Management Committee (FMC) of the Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA) actively addressed various fisheries management issues. The committee’s role is to guide the Board on fisheries management and oversee SFA’s Strategic Plans in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, ensuring sustainable utilization of resources based on global best practices. The FMC comprises representatives from Non-Executive Directors and SFA members.
The FMC held four meetings in 2023 to address key issues, including reviewing sea cucumber licenses, proposing the closure of the lobster fishery season for stock assessment, approving spanner crab licenses, and establishing compliance measures with the IOTC. The committee emphasized the need for a dedicated tuna management section, thorough data collection, and stakeholder consultations. These efforts underscore SFA’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management through comprehensive policy reviews, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making.
Fisheries resource management planning and management plan implementation
During the year, the Department implemented the following actions to improve fisheries governance and safeguard the sustainability of the fishing industry and the demersal fisheries resources:
- Development of the Seychelles’ first National Tuna Fishery Management Plan and Industry Development Plan. The project involved extensive stakeholder consultations, which extended its duration. Supported by the World Bank-funded SWIOFISH 3 project, it is expected to be completed by mid-2024.
- Developed and implemented new management measures for the small-scale longline fishery, including a moratorium on chartering foreign longline fishing vessels and importing vessels for this fishery. These measures aim to control the fishery’s expansion and address issues such as misreporting of fishing statistics, rising government subsidy costs, port congestion, and limited capacity for essential inputs like bait, ice, and equipment.
- Initiated discussions with stakeholders to develop new management strategies for the lobster, spanner crab, and sea cucumber fisheries. Stakeholders agreed on introducing a licensing framework for the spanner crab fishery to ensure sustainable development and protect livelihoods. Consultations on the lobster, spanner crab, and octopus fisheries will continue in 2024 to establish Harvest Control Rules (HCR) and management plans
- In December 2023, Seychelles completed the FAO- funded REEFFISH project, enhancing livelihoods, food security, and maritime safety for coral reef fishing communities. The Fishermen’s Associations of Glacis and Bel Ombre received safety equipment and large ice boxes, while the SFA received an ice machine with solar panels. The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority was provided with mooring buoys and ropes for marine protected areas.
- Continued the development of a National Tuna Fishery Management and Tuna Fishery Management Plan and Tuna Industry Development Plan. These plans aim to sustainably utilize Indian Ocean tuna resources, balancing ecological, economic, and social considerations. They focus on resource sustainability, effective governance, economic contribution, and social development. The comprehensive plans, to be implemented over five and ten years respectively, include sections on governance, harvest strategies, ecosystem management, stock assessment, compliance, performance evaluation, and required resources.
- In collaboration with the IKI team, finalized the licensing framework for the spanner crab fishery to address increased fishing pressure and declining catches. The framework will undergo a final review by the IKI team before implementation.
- Participated in various national, regional, and international forums, including IOTC’s Scientific Committee, Compliance Committee, Commission, Technical Committee on Allocation Criteria (TCAC), and Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch (WPTT). This ensured they remained informed about the latest advancements and geopolitical landscape of fisheries management.
- Participated in multistakeholder processes for Marine Spatial Planning, contributing to sustainable fisheries resource management and compliance efforts. This involvement helped integrate fisheries management with broader marine spatial planning initiatives.
- The Implementation Committee (ICCP) and its Stock Assessment Subcommittee (SAS) held multiple meetings to advance the Mahe Plateau Trap and Line Fishery Co-management Plan. The ICCP convened four times, discussing developments, compliance with fisheries regulations, communication with fisher associations, and the economic and social importance of sport and recreational fisheries. The SAS held two meetings, focusing on data availability and performance monitoring, particularly trends in CPUE for specific fish species. Key recommendations were reviewed and confirmed throughout these meetings, and the liaison officer’s contract was extended until June 2023.
Promoting responsible fisheries practice in line with international standards and obligations
In 2023 the Department focused on aligning Seychelles’ fisheries practices with international standards. During the year the following was achieved:
- The Department actively contributed to data submission for compliance with the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). In 2023, Seychelles achieved an 86 percent compliance rating compared to 80% in 2022. This performance is significantly higher than the average compliance rating of 65% for al IOTC member countries.
- The Fisheries Resource Management unit and the SFA’s legal unit developed Standardized Operational Procedures (SOP) for the Observer program to ensure high-quality data collection, regulatory compliance, and observer safety. This initiative aims to enhance program credibility, build stakeholder confidence, and support adaptive management in fisheries.