New law to better manage fisheries sector to come into force soon |10 October 2014

A new piece of legislation which will ensure better management of the fisheries sector is expected to come into force soon.
This will be possible after the National Assembly during its sitting on Tuesday unanimously approved the Fisheries Bill 2014. It will replace the Fisheries Act which dates back to 1986.

Explaining the need for a new piece of legislation to better manage the fisheries sector, Natural Resources Minister Peter Sinon pointed out that since the Fisheries Act came into force, numerous aspects governing the sector have evolved.

When he presented the Bill for members’ consideration and approval, the minister noted that even though the law in place has tried to meet the demands of the ever-changing sector, the time has come to review the whole framework governing it and open wider windows of opportunities for private business operators to come in and play a bigger role in managing the sector and ensuring the country is up to date where managing all its fisheries resources is concerned.
Minister Sinon noted that the complete revision of the Fisheries Act will also bring in several new components.

“Among the new components which the new law will bring is that licenses for all types of fishing will now be issued by the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) which will also have the authority to withdraw the license from any party who do not abide by regulations,” Mr Sinon said.

Clause 34 and 35 of the Bill provides for the introduction of aquaculture – an activity which the SFA will have to manage in the future.

Among other provisions the Bill also provides for an independent Appeals Board to allow for parties to appeal any measures taken against them which they deem unfair.

The Bill also provides for mechanisms which will authorise the minister concerned to appoint Authorised Fisheries Officers (AFOs) who will help in enforcing regulations in place and this will include arresting any person breaching the regulations.