The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Transport is the
organization responsible for policy directives in fisheries and
related matters. The Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) is the
executive organization of all fisheries development.
Seychelles’ fisheries policy is based on the country’s vision to
create an efficient and productive environment for the promotion of
investment, production and trade in the fisheries sector.
Investments in the fisheries sector benefit from several
concessions which are provided
under the
Agriculture and Fisheries Incentives Act.
Broad Policy Guidelines
In order to ensure the efficient development of the fishing industry
as a whole and to attain the stipulated objectives, Government’s
policies for the sector focus on the following issues:
Investment
The Government will ensure that the necessary fiscal and monetary
measures and mechanisms are put in place with the aim of facilitating
access to investment funds and will encourage export oriented
investment.
The Government also realizes that uncontrolled investment and certain
subsidies may have adverse impacts on the fisheries resources leading
to over-capitalization and excess capacity in the fisheries industry.
It will therefore take appropriate measures to ensure that new
investments in the fishing industry do not have negative impacts on
resource conservation.
The Government will actively encourage joint ventures between local
and foreign entrepreneurs in order to develop the national tuna
harvesting capability and in other areas with the capacity to gain
significant social and economic benefits.
However, investment in the artisanal fishery will be reserved only
for Seychellois investors. To this regard the State will maintain its
policy of acting as a facilitator in encouraging investment in all
the sub-sectors of the industry and in all related activities.
Trade and Commerce
The Government will aim at achieving a regime of trade in fish and
fish products in accordance with international laws and taking due
regards to resource sustainability and human health.
The Government will encourage the use of information technology and
access to the information superhighway should be encouraged so as to
enable local companies to explore potential new markets and conduct
business transactions on-line. To further increase the national
potential to earn more foreign exchange, means should be explored to
increase the added-value of local products, identify niche markets
and promote new products.
International Agreements and Co-operation
The Government will continue to grant fishing rights to other distant
water fishing nations to fish in the Seychelles' Exclusive Economic
Zone taking into account the state of the stock and economic returns.
The Government vows that it will intensify its effort for more
fruitful and beneficial co-operation with other States, international
agencies, financial institutions and educational establishments for
the smoother development of the fishing industry.
Licensing Vessels under 20 metres
Foreign fishing licences will be issued only to vessels above 20
metres in length. Vessels between 20 and 24 metres will, however
be subjected to the following:
- The number of vessels will be capped at 12
- Fishing licences will be issued on a trial basis for a year
to evaluate the benefits to the domestic fishing/processing
industry
- Transhipment will be allowed in the Seychelles waters but only
upon prior authorisation from the SFA as per the fisheries
regulations. All the landings must, however, be done in Port
Victoria
- A fisheries management fee of USD2000/month/vessel payable to
the SFA for VMS and other MCS cost
- 24 hours VMS coverage (1 position per hour)
- SFA reserves the right to put observers on the vessel and out
sampling activities
- Opportunities for at least one Seychellois to work on
the vessel
- Participating local companies to make available monthly
purchases and export data to SFA.
Vessels above 24 metres in length are already regulated by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.