Seychelles-EU committee focuses on improving fisheries management |17 February 2012

The yearly meeting, which opened yesterday and ends today, is discussing the work programme of the SFA from the financial contributions under the partnership protocol, which for 2012 is  €2,220,000.

The Seychelles delegation is led by Philippe Michaud, the current SFA chairperson, while the EU delegation is headed by Constantin Alexandrou of the EU’s directorate of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

The first priority -- improving the management of artisanal and industrial fisheries -- includes fisheries surveillance and development of an aquaculture master plan.

It also involves observer programme on fisheries vessels and support to other related fisheries and maritime organisations.

The committee is also discussing fisheries infrastructure development for the artisanal and industrial sectors. It includes the construction of a new quay at the Ile du Port to further ease the activities of the industrial tuna fishing.

This also involves support to the local private sector in fisheries development, equipment for coastal fisheries, infrastructure for the artisanal fishery, processing plants to produce value-added fish products and other support facilities.

Another priority under discussion is specialised training for SFA personnel and support to other related institutions, such as the Fisheries Inspection Unit of the Seychelles Bureau of Standards, the Maritime Training Centre, the Faculty of Environmental Science at the University of Seychelles and other local partners.