ALBERT

Description: (1). During 2000 an estimated total of 4764 tonnes of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 330 fishing boats. 89.6% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has decreased by 78 tonnes compared to the 1999 catch and the number of boats operating has increased by 15 over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (37.0%), job (11.6%), capitaine (8.9%) and maquereau doux (6.2%). (3). Peak landings occurred in September (750.0 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in June (236.3 MT). The average catch per month was 397 tonnes. (4). A marked seasonal variation in catches of demersal species was observed, with low catches being recorded during the period of southeast trade winds (May - July). Peak catches of carangues occurred during September. The catch of pelagic species exhibited the same seasonal variation as observed with the demersal species. Catches of cordonnier dropped in July and August. The catch of other trap fish, however, was low in February, April and December. Seasonal variation in catches can be related to weather conditions inhibiting fishing activities. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 34.3% of fish landings during 2000. The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows; fishermen on foot — 0.9%; pirogues — 1.7 %; outboards — 32.3% and whalers with traps — 0.3%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (54.5%): pirogues landed mainly maqueraux (66.7%) and trap fish (19.8%): outboards landed predominantly carangues (25.1%), maqueraux (26.9%) and trap fish (22.8%), whalers with traps landed mainly capitaine (44.5%) and cordonnier (25.8%). Landings by the small boat fleet were made up mostly of pelagic species (53.1%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 60.3% of total landings. An average of 89 whalers operated each month during 2000 including those using traps indicating an increase of 4 vessels operating when compared to 2000. Carangues made up just under half of the catch (46.5%). Other important species in the catch were; job gris (16.1%), becune (5.9%), capitaines (10%) and vara vara (4.4%). Catches of Bourgeois declined from 7.6% in 1999 to 4.3% of the total catch for whalers in 2000. (7). An average of 10 schooners operated each month during 2000 and accounted for 4.0% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (21.8%) followed by job gris (7.0%), and Carangues (4.5%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 3.3% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery by the Oceana Fisheries Co. Ltd. were equivalent to 9.2 % of total landings (438.5 MT). 100% was purchased in Victoria. Major species purchased were: bourgeois (29%), job (15.7%), maqueraux (15.8%) and groupers (13.4%). (9). Oceana Fisheries also purchased 160.6 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) from foreign longline vessels during 2000. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonito was the most common (61.1%) followed by sailfish (7.7%), dorade (7.3%), marlin (6%) and skipjack tuna (4.9%). (10). Fish product exports during 2000 generated revenue of 6.7 million Seychelles Rupees in foreign exchange earnings. Fish exports by the Oceana Fisheries amounted to 255.8 MT. 69% being fresh and 31% frozen valued at SR 6.3 million (CIF). Major destinations for the fish were; Mauritius (39%), England (36%) and Reunion (22%). Pelagic fish (36%), Job (19.5%), and bourgeois (19%) formed the most important fish exports. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1988 and 1999 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 13.15 tonnes of fish, 102 spiny lobster and 4000+ scallops in 2000 contributing to 0.3 % of the total catch.

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Description: (1). During 1999 an estimated total of 4842 Metric Tonnes (MT) of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 345 fishing boats. 88.9% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has increased by 1508 MT compared to the 1998 catch and the number of boats operating decreased by 10 vessels over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (30.4%), job (17%), red snapper (10%), cordonnier (5,1%) and capitaine (5.9%). (3). Peak landings occurred in April (560.1 MT) and October (565.4 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in August (254 MT). The average catch per month was 403.5 tonnes. (4). Seasonal variation in catches of demersal species was observed, however this variation was not as marked as noted in previous years. Peak catches of carangues occurred during May. The catch of pelagic species exhibited the same seasonal variation as observed with the demersal species. Catches of cordonnier dropped in June, July and August. The catch of other trap fish, however, was relatively constant throughout the year with a peak noted in March. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 35.6% of fish landings during 1999, The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows., fishermen on foot — 0.5%; pirogues — 2.6 %; outboards — 28.5% and whalers — 48.9%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (83.5%): pirogues landed trap fish (57.7%): outboards landed predominantly carangues (20.9%), maqueraux (19.6%) and cordonnier (14.3%), whalers with traps landed mainly cordonnier (53.6%) and maconde (23.2%). Landings by the small boat fleet were made up mostly of pelagic species (47.8%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 49% of total landings. An average of 85 whalers operated each month during 1999 including those using traps. Carangues made up just under half of the catch (38.6%). Other important species in the catch were; job gris (25.6%), Bourgeois (7.6%) and becune (8%). (7). An average of 11 schooners operated each month during 1999 and accounted for 5.1% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (16%) followed by job gris (9.2%), vara vara (6%) and Capitaine rouge (6%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 3.8% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery by the Oceana Fisheries Co. Ltd, were equivalent to 7.5 % of total landings (363.4 MT). 100% was purchased in Victoria. Major species purchased were: bourgeois (22.9%), job (21.5%), groupers (14.3%), and capitaine (14%). (9). Oceana Fisheries also purchased 193.5 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) from foreign longline vessels during 1997. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonite was the most common (52.6%) followed by yellowfin (11.4%), dorade (9.8%) and marlin (8.4%). (10). Fish product exports from Oceana Fisheries during 1999 generated revenue of 53.7 million (CIF) Seychelles Rupees in foreign exchange earnings. Fish exports by the Oceana Fisheries amounted to 220 MT, 80.5% being fresh and 19.5% frozen. Major destinations for the fish were; Reunion (33.6%), England (31%) and Mauritius (29.7%). Pelagic fishes (30%), Job (19.1%), and bourgeois (19%) formed the most important fish exports. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1987 and 1998 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 6.7 tonnes in 1999 contributing to 0.1 % of the total catch. (12). Note: A ban on set gill nets in the artisanal fishery was imposed in August 1998. The ban allowed for a six-month grace period to enable fishermen to change from gillnets to longlines.

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Description: (1). During 1996 an estimated total of 4510 tonnes of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslinand La Digue by 327 fishing boats 83.5% of which was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has increased by 197 tonnes since 1995, and the number of boats operating has decreased by 10 over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were,carangues (34.8%), job (10.3%), rnaquereau doux (9.4%), cordonier (7.6%), capitaine (6.5%). (3). Peak landings occurred in April (549.7 MT) and the lowest catch occurred in July (211.8 MT). The average catch per month was 375.8 tonnes. (4). A marked seasonal variation in catches of demersal species was observed, with low catches being recorded during the period of south east trade winds (June - September). Peak catches of carangue occurred during April. The catch of pelagic species of exhibited the same seasonal variation as observed with the demersal species. Catches cordonier dropped in July and August. The catch of other trap fish, however, dropped slightly from March to May and also in October and November. These observations of seasonal variability are believed to relate more to climatic conditions than to the catchability of the fish themselves. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 38% of fish landings during 1996. The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows; fishermen on foot, 2%, pirogues, 2 %; outboards, 95% and whalers with fixed traps, 1%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (82%): pirogues landed cordonnier (62%) and other trap fish (24%): outboards landed maqueraux doux 26%) cordonnier and carangues balo (19%) and whalers with traps, cordonier (42%) and other trap fish (23%) Landings by the small boat fleet were mostly pelagic species (61%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 53% of total landings. An average of 91 whalers operated each month during 1996 including those using traps, with only a change of 1 vessel since 1995. Carangues occupied approximately half of the catch (47%). Other important species were; job gris (13%), becune (7.2%) and Bourgeois (6%). (7). An average of 12 schooners operated each month during 1996 and accounted for 7.2% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (18%) followed by job gris (13%), Carangues (11%) and vara vara (7%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 5.2% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery by the Oceana Fisheries Co. Ltd were equivalent to 12% of total landings (567 MT). 92% was purchased in Victoria and 8% through a private centre on Praslin. Major species purchased were: job (25%), carangue (19%), bourgeois (15%) and captaine (10%). (9). Oceana Fisheries also purchased 227 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) from foreign longline vessels during 1996. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonite was the most common (69%) followed by yellowfin (11%), swordfish (4.3) dorade (4%). skipjack (4%) and sailfish (3%). (10). Fish product exports during 1996 generated a revenue of 194.2 million Seychelles Rupees in foreign exchange earnings. The private sector exported 80 tonnes of fresh fish valued at 3.1 SR million, the exports of canned tuna generated 169.7 SR million and the export of approximately 132 tonnes of prawns generated about 10.9 million. Other fish product exports included sharks Fins and sea cucumbers. Fish exports by the Oceana Fisheries amounted to 311 MT. 64% being fresh and 36% frozen valued at SR 8 million (CIF). Major destinations for the fish were: Reunion (52%), England (28%), and France (18). Pelagic fish (40%), job (27%) bourgeois (14%) formed the most important fresh fish exports, whilst pelagic (51%), job (27%) and capitaine (14%) were the most important frozen species. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1985 and 1996 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 11.2 tonnes in 1996 contributing to 0.2 % of the total catch.

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Description: SFA/R&D/061

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Description: (1). During 2001 an estimated total of 4290 tonnes of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 377 fishing boats. 84.3% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has decreased by 474 tonnes compared to the 2000 catch and the number of boats operating has dereased by 30 over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (30.0%), job (16.4%). capitaine (11.3%) and bourgeois (8.0%). (3). Peak landings occurred in June (478.0 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in September (161.7 MT). The average catch per month was 357 tonnes. (4). A seasonal variation in catches of demersal species was observed, however this was less marked when compared to previous years. Low catches being recorded during the period of southeast trade winds (July - September). Peak catches of carangues occurred during April. The catch of pelagic species exhibited a similar seasonal variation as observed with the demersal species. Catches of cordonnier were lowest during the latter part of the SE Monsoon period. The catch of other trap fish, however, was low in May and June. Seasonal variation in catches can be related to weather conditions inhibiting fishing activities. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 27.2% of fish landings during 2001. The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows; fishermen on foot — 1.1%; pirogues — 1.2 %; outboards — 24.9% and whalers with traps — 1.3%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (95.3%): pirogues landed mainly maqueraux (50.0%) and trap fish (27.3%): outboards landed predominantly carangues (27.5%), maqueraux (22.3%) and trap fish (20.6%), whalers with traps landed mainly capitaine (61.3%) and cordonnier (12.3%). Landings by the small boat fleet were made up mostly of pelagic species (52.2%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 66.2% of total landings. An average of 90 whalers operated each month during 2001 including those using traps indicating an increase of 1 vessel operating when compared to 2000. Carangues made up 34.4% of the total whaler handline catch. Other important species in the catch were; job gris (20.0%), bourgeois (8.2%), hecune (8.0%) and vara vara (3.6%). Catches of Bourgeois increased by 3.9% in 2001 compared to the catch of 2000. (7). An average of 11 schooners operated each month during 2001 and accounted for 6.0% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (23.8%) followed by job gris (9.8%), and job jaune (7.2%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 8.7% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery were equivalent to 11.5 % of total landings (497.2 MT). 100% was purchased in Victoria. Major species purchased were: red snappers and bourgeois (47.5%), groupers (15.7%) and capitaine (7.9%). (9). Fish purchases from foreign longline vessels were in the order of 209.4 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) during 2001. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonito bait was the most common (121.7 MT) followed by yellowfin (25.1 MT), skipjack (16.2 MT) and dorade (14.9 MT). (10). Fish exports to 296.8 MT. 83.6% being fresh and 16.4% frozen valued at SR 8.5 million (CIF). Major destinations for the fish were; England (44.4%), Reunion (24.4%) and France (15%),. Pelagic fish (50.6%), bourgeois (17.4%), and Job (13.6%) formed the most important fish exports. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1989 and 2000 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 1.7 tonnes of fish in 2001 contributing to 0.03 % of the total catch.

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Description: (1). During 1998 an estimated total of 3334.3 tonnes of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 355 fishing boats. 86% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has decreased by 716 tonnes compared to the 1997 catch and the number of boats operating has increased by 7 vessels over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (30.2%), job (18.1%), capitaine (8.4%), red snappers (including bourgeois) 12.7% and barracuda (4.5%). (3). Peak landings occurred in November (507.1 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in March (172.2 MT). The average catch per month was 277.8 tonnes this is 63.4 tonnes less on average per month than for 1997. (4). A marked seasonal variation in catches of dernersal species was observed, however the trend of low catches being recorded during the period of southeast trade winds (June - September) shifted to between March and July. Peak catches of carangues have normally occurred during the months of March to May, however this period during 1998 showed the lowest catches of this group. The catch of pelagic species in 1998 tended to be greatest during November and December. As regards the demersal species the seasonal variation tended to shift from peaks recorded during the second quarter in past seasons, to mostly forth quarter peaks during the 1998 fishing period. Catches of cordonnier dropped in April and May. The catch of other trap fish, however, dropped slightly from May to July. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 29.7% of fish landings during 1998. The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows; fishermen on foot - 1.2% pirogues — 3.7 %; outboards — 24.7% and whalers with Fixed traps 0.1%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (81.4%): pirogues landed mainly maqueraux.(60.2% and trap fish (16.3%): outboards landed predominantly carangues (28.7%), cordonnier (15.5%), and other trap fish (13.8%), whalers with traps landed mainly cordonnier (46.7%) and red snappers (26.7%). Landings by the small boat fleet were made up mostly of pelagic species (47.8%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 61.5% of total landings. An average of 89 whalers operated each month during 1997 including those using traps indicating a decrease of 2 vessels overall when compared to 1997. Carangues made up just over a third of the catch (35.7%). Other important species in the catch were; job gris (25%), Bourgeois (6.8%) and vara vara (5.9%). (7). An average of 10.6 schooners operated each month during 1998 and accounted for 7.2% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (14.4%) followed by .job gris (12%), vara vara (5.2%) and carangues (5%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 5% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery by the Oceana Fisheries Co. Ltd. were equivalent to 17.5% of total landings (585.2 MT). 100% was purchased in Victoria, Mahe. Major species purchased were: bourgeois (27.2%), job (15.5%), carangues (9.7%) and groupers (8.7%). (9). Oceana Fisheries also purchased 258.1 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) from foreign longline vessels during 1998. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonite was the most common (45.4%) followed by swordfish (19%) and yellowlin (13.8%), (10). Fish product exports during 1998 generated revenue of 426.3 million Seychelles Rupees in foreign exchange earnings. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1986 and 1998 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 29.5 tonnes in 1998 contributing to 0.9% of the total catch.

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Description: (1). During 2002 an estimated total of 4915 tonnes of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 374 fishing boats. 83.1% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The total catch increased by 625 tonnes compared to 2001, and the number of boats operating decreased by 3 over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (41.5%), job (12.4%), capitaine (6.8%), becune (6.1%), maquereau doux (5.7%) and bourgeois (5.7%). (3). Peak landings occurred in October (576.5 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in January (222.51 MT). The average catch per month was 409.6 tonnes. (4). Seasonal variation in catches of demersal species was less marked compared to previous years. The mean monthly catch during the SE Trades (May — October, inclusive) was 420.5 MT, compared to a mean monthly catch of 359.4 MT during the NW monsoon (December — March, inclusive). High catches were probably maintained during the period of May to October in 2002 due to the comparatively weak strength of the SE Trades in that year, as determined by lower than average wind speeds for most months in that period (Meteorological Office, pers. comm.). Identical to the pattern observed in 2001, the highest catches for carangues occurred in April. Catches of cordonnier in 2002 (203.0 MT) were more than double those recorded in 2001 (90.5), and were lowest during the period of March to June, inclusive. (5). In total, the small boat fishery accounted for 26.4% of fish landings during 2002. Compared to the total artisanal catch, the percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery was as follows: fishermen on foot — 0.6%; pirogues — 0.6%; outboards -25.2% and whalers with traps — 2.2%. Fishermen on foot mostly landed octopus (87.0%), although cordonnier catches by this category were also recorded in 2002 (12.6%). Due to changes in fisheries fieldworker coverage in 2002, landings of maquereau by pirogue were not recorded, with cordonnier (57.6%) and other trap fish (23.2%) dominating landings instead. The predominant species groups landed by outboards were, in order of importance, maquereau doux (22.6%), carangues (21.7%), other trap fish (13.9%) and cordonnier (13.6%). Whalers with traps landed mainly capitaine (61.3%), other trap fish (20.1%) and cordonnier (12.3%). In 2002, landings by the small boat fleet were once again approximately divided equally between pelagic (51.3%) and demersal/ reef species (47.4%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 67.9% of total landings. An average of 91 whalers operated each month during 2002, indicating an increase of 1 vessel operating when compared to 2001. Carangues made up 52.5% of the total whaler handline catch. Other important species in the catch were, in order of importance, job gris (16.4%), becune (8.4%) bourgeois (5.0%), bordemar (2.6%) and vara vara (2.2%). Catches of Bourgeois decreased by 28.8% in 2002 compared to the catch of 2001. (7). Purchases from the artisanal fisheries by Oceana Fisheries were equivalent to 10.3% of total landings (504.2 MT). Oceana Fisheries purchased all fish from the Port Victoria site. Major species groups purchased were red snappers and bourgeois (57.5%), job (12.7%), groupers (5.2%) and capitaine (5.9 %). (8). Fish purchases from foreign longline vessels were in the order of 152.3 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) during 2002. Species purchased were all pelagic, of which bonito bait was the most common (98.0 MT), followed by yellowfin (18.9 MT), dorade (12.6 MT) and skipjack (12.6 MT). (9). Fish exports by Oceana Fisheries amounted to 226.6 MT, 85.9% of which was fresh and 14.1% frozen. These exports were valued at SR 7.1 million (CIF). Major destinations for the fish were England (34.5%), Reunion (30.3%) and Mauritius (17.0%). Pelagic fish (41.5%), bourgeois (23.4%), and Job (19.2%). formed the most important fish groups exported. (10). A comparison of data collected between 1990 and 2002 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 11.7 tonnes of fish in 2002, contributing 0.2% of the total catch.

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