Seychelles helps Somalia through IOTC compliance support mission |11 September 2014

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) adopted a resolution, in 2012, whereby the regional fisheries regulating body decided to conduct compliance support missions in member countries in order to help them better implement its conservation and management measures.  

This came as a result of some member states having difficulty in complying with those requirements. The compliance support missions have resulted in the elaboration of an action plan which is aimed at ensuring better conservation and management of the tuna stock in the region.

The last of those missions was held in Seychelles this week at the SFA (Seychelles Fishing Authority) training room on Long Pier Road, in partnership with the SmartFish project of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). It has also permitted to discuss in details the conservation and management measures relevant to Seychelles, to identify specific difficulties faced locally in implementing the IOTC resolutions and to build the capacity of the SFA staff vis-à-vis Seychelles’ obligations as a member of the commission.

As the eldest member of the IOTC, Seychelles had found the occasion opportune to invite the youngest, Somalia, to benefit from the mission. Hosted by the SFA, four Somali delegates were consequently present for the workshop where they were joined by Seychellois technicians.

“Seychelles and Somalia share similarities in tuna fishing. We are currently helping Somalia in the setting up of its fisheries industry based on the SFA model and with the collaboration of the FAO, so that Somalia can also benefit from the blue economy. Together we can also better sustain and manage the tuna stock. By understanding the successes and challenges that Seychelles faces as a longstanding member of the commission, this provides the leverage that Somalia may be able to put to use for meeting its obligations to the IOTC,” natural resources principal secretary Michel Nalletamby has said.

The executive secretary of the IOTC, Seychellois Rondolph Payet has added that the Somalia’s presence was a good example of partnership among the organisation’s member states.

“The workshop represents an important part of the relationship which the IOTC encourages among partners. Somalia needs all the help that we can give, help which the IOTC is willing to provide. The objective is to work on the ground with member countries in order to better manage the tuna stocks. If decisions are not well implemented at country level, we fail as an organisation,” remarked the IOTC boss.

Somalia which only joined the commission in May this year faces a number of obligations. Therefore, the FAO, the IOTC secretariat, the IOC SmartFish project and the SFA are all partnering to provide relevant help to its Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.  

The IOTC compliance support mission came to a close yesterday evening in the presence of SFA chairman Philip Michaud and its chief executive (CEO) Finley Racombo.