Lobster fishing season re-opens |01 December 2005

A communique from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) and the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) says that, in contrast to previous seasons, the 2005/2006 season will be open for a period of two months (from December 1, 2005 to January 31, 2006) instead of three, with a limit of 20 licences issued to Mahe, Praslin and La Digue lobster fishermen.

The deadline for licence application has been set for Friday December 9, 2005. 

According to the communique, the two previous seasons (2003/2004 and 2004/2005) were closed as a precautionary measure to allow the stock to recover to a safer harvestable level following significant decreases in the overall catch rates (kg/trip) over the years.  

The communique explains that following recommendations made upon closure of the 2004/2005 season, a study was undertaken early in November 2005 to develop a fisheries-independent monitoring system (Participatory Lobster Monitoring Programme) aimed at providing the SFA with a rapid method for quantifying the resource status during closed periods and integrating fisher participation in resource monitoring. The last fisheries-independent survey was conducted in 1991.

The overall results of the study, according to the communique, indicate that the status of the spiny lobster resource in November 2005 is comparable to that of 1991. 

"However, the re-opening of the season for a period of two months (December 2005 and January 2006) is mainly aimed at testing the monitoring system that has been put in place," says the communique.

As has been the case in previous years, the MENR and the SFA are calling on the fishing community and catering establishments to comply with the regulations, and on the public in general to report any illegal lobster fishing outside the authorised season to the Seychelles Fishing Authority (Tel 672 340 ) or to the nearest Police Station. 

Any person fishing for lobsters without a valid licence could be prosecuted and fined up to R10,000, if found guilty.  

Meanwhile, the SFA has announced that it will be undertaking its normal lobster monitoring programme, which has been implemented since 1992, to maintain proper management of the resource on the Mahe Plateau.