New fish processing plant offers affordable, quality products |23 November 2021

Cutting the ribbon to officially open the new fish processing plant (Photo: Ministry of Fisheries)

As Seychelles continues to make ways for businesses involved in value-added products, particularly in regards to by-catch fish, the country counts a new fish processing plant based in Providence, at the Seychelles Fisheries Authority’s (SFA) fishing port.

The Unique Ocean Seafood Company was officially opened last week, on Tuesday, in a ceremony attended by Designated Minister and Minister for Fisheries Jean-François Ferrari, SFA board chairman Radley Weber, chief executive of the SFA Nichol Elizabeth and a number of guests involved in the fisheries sector.

It is owned by Seychellois entrepreneur, James Lesperance, who holds years of experience in the sector, exporting by-catch products in countries such as Ghana, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Unique Ocean Seafood Company is the second fish processing plant owned and operated by Mr Lesperance, following the success of the JHL plant, also based at Providence. 

The facility is currently providing at least 25 employment opportunities to Seychellois, and has room for some more employees.

Unique Ocean Seafood Company offers different variety of value-added products made from by-catch fish such as tuna, dorado, kingfish and so on. These include fish burgers, smoked fish, fish sausages, fish steaks and more.

Mr Lesperance noted that these products will be exported as well as sold domestically.

He added that his company is also planning to open a store in Victoria sometimes before the end of this year, where the products will be sold.

“I noticed that these by-catch fish were being thrown away too much which is why I ventured into fish processing. This fish processing plant is the second such plant I own and I’ll be doing more value-added products here that can be sold on the local market and exported,” said Mr Lesperance.

Mr Lesperance noted that Unique Ocean Seafood Company is striving to offer quality and affordable consumables, with prices starting as low as R20.

Minister Ferrari congratulated Mr Lesperance on the recent addition and further encouraged investments such as these so as to boost the fisheries and blue economy sectors.

“It is a significant investment and comes at a time when the economy is picking up. It is not always easy ‒ it comes with certain risks but these are quality products. I, along with the other guests, have had the opportunity to tour the factory and I note the equipment quality which is of high standard, with modern designs. And I believe that it will be profitable. The employees here are also hard working and I am glad to see that they will be working in comfort. It is a great sign for the future,” stated Minister Ferrari.

Chairman of the SFA board, Mr Weber, remarked that the products made by the new plant will offer increased options to the local market and encourage Seychellois to eat fish more regularly.

Elsie Pointe