New sustainable fisheries partnership agreement between Seychelles and EU |20 September 2019

Seychelles delegation in Brussels for second round of negotiation

The Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture, Charles Bastienne, is heading a strong Seychelles delegation in Brussels at the 2nd round of negotiation on the EU-Seychelles Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and its implementing Protocol.

This follows the first round of negotiation which took place from August 19 to 22, 2019 in Seychelles, whereby a delegation from the European Union (EU) met with the local delegation.

Discussions in this second round will focus on outstanding issues, mainly on financial contribution as well as working conditions of Seychellois seamen on EU vessels, observer coverage, both human and electronic, among other matters.

To recall the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) is the bilateral framework to be agreed by both Parties that will allow EU fishing vessels opportunities to continue their fishing operations in Seychelles EEZ, establishing the principles, rule and procedures governing the economic, financial, technical, and scientific aspects of this cooperation, including conditions for EU fishing vessels gaining access to Seychelles EEZ, and the management, control and surveillance measures governing their activities.

The Seychelles delegation comprise representatives from the departments of Fisheries, Blue Economy, Trade, Foreign Affairs, Environment, the Office of the Attorney General and the Seychelles Fishing Authority.

The Seychelles ambassador in Belgium, Beryl Samson, is also attending this 2nd round of negotiation which ends today.