Publication Date:
2021-05-19
Description:
The fisheries policy of the Government of Seychelles was first drafted in 1986. At
that time, both the industrial and artisanal fisheries in Seychelles were in a developmental
stage and the policy reflected the needs to promote both the development
and conservation of our marine resources as well as maximizing benefits.
In 1985 the number of licenses issued for the industrial tuna fishery was 49 for
the purse seiners and 165 for longliners with an annual purse seine catch of
130,000 tonnes. The total catch for the industrial purse seine fishery has continued
to rise and peaked at around 407, 000 tonnes in the year 2003. The artisanal fishing
fleet has declined from 410 vessels in 1985 to 330 in the year 2003, however,
the nature of the fleet has changed dramatically. The artisanal fleet is now entirely
mechanized and consists of larger and better equipped vessels with improved
safety facilities.
The total annual catch of the artisanal fishery has remained relatively constant
since fisheries data has been collected, however increasing effort in terms of mandays
at sea and the more accurate positioning systems currently used are a cause
for concern. Lower recruitment of fish stocks and localized over-fishing has been
noted in some of the fisheries data sectors. The change in both the industrial tuna
fishery catch and the artisanal fleet composition is a direct reflection of the rapid
rise of technological innovations to improve fishing effectiveness. In addition, the
development of new fisheries and marine resource related operations such as the
semi-industrial long-line fishery, crustacean fisheries and aquaculture have taken
place.
From the relatively simple fisheries, in terms of gear, positioning and fish finding
technologies, in the mid eighties, fishing operations have progressed significantly
to include modern fishing equipment, gears and improved boat design, with the
support and development of the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA).
With respect to the goals and objectives outlined in the 1986 Fisheries Policy in
relation to development, management and research, the SFA has managed to
achieve
2
these, within the present framework of the fisheries legislation and management
policies.
In the light of these, and other developments, a decision was taken to reformulate
the Fisheries Policy and to bring it more in line with the changing nature of all
aspects of fisheries in Seychelles. To continue maintaining the sustainability of all
fisheries undertaken in Seychelles waters, increased emphasis needs to be placed
on manpower development, monitoring, control and surveillance, research and
management. Nevertheless the main points indicated in the past policy are still
relevant and have been refined and expanded upon where necessary to reflect the
move towards a fisheries policy that encompasses all present and future aspects of
fisheries in Seychelles. Needless to say, this policy will be reviewed and updated
whenever required to take into consideration new developments which may arise.
Description:
Published
Keywords:
Fishery management
;
Fishery management
;
Fishery policy
;
Fishery regulations
;
Fishery development
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
Report
,
Non-Refereed
Format:
818039 bytes
Format:
application/pdf
Format:
20
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