New lagoon for the Anse à La Mouche fisherman’s community |19 March 2008

Funded by the Portuguese government to the tune of R68, 000, the project followed Seychelles’ appeal for assistance after the 2004 tsunami.

The excavation work which was mainly involved creation of the 60 by 5 metre-lagoon was necessary to clear a sandbar which was formed when tidal waves hit.

According to Gilbert Rassool who is a boat owner and also the proprietor of the Anse La Mouche ice plant, the lagoon will be of great assistance to fishermen’s community.

He explained that during low tide it was impossible to load and unload the fishing boats and that most of the time fishermen had to return home because it was impossible to get access to the sea.

“Most of the time they had to walk a long way carrying their ice bags to their boats and also to bring their fish ashore, among many other constraints,” he added.

With the lagoon which is one metre deep at low tide, all the boats can reach the shore thus facilitating the loading and unloading procedures.

 The project followed a survey conducted by the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) in collaboration with other partners notably the Seychelles Coast Guard, Anse La Mouche fishermen, the Community Development Department and the Environment Department.

The excavation work was carried out by Dugasse Construction.